Serena Joy

Question 1

significant chapters

Answer 1

3 - meeting Offred
16 - the Ceremony
35 - showing the picture
45 - discovering the lingerie

Question 2

chapter 3

Answer 2

simple declarative sentence “I’ve read your file” - exerts power over Offred and abuses it
imperative sentence “Leave it on the porch.” - ambiguous as to whether she means Offred or her bag
symbolism “daffodils are now fading” - implies SJ is no longer fertile and her happiness is disappearing

Question 3

chapter 16

Answer 3

prepositional phrase “Above me” - SJ has a higher status than her and it’s physically shown
simile “stiff and straight as an effigy” - lack of facial expression, shows her lack of happiness
imperative sentence “Get up and get out.” - acting as if she’s being exploited, her fertility is a sensitive subject for her

Question 4

chapter 35

Answer 4

opinionative adjectives “low “ and “conspiratorial” - acting nice but is actually being cruel, choosing to withold info for her own benefit

Question 5

chapter 45

Answer 5

rhetorical question “How could you be so vulgar?” - doesn’t place any blame on the Commander, disgusted with Offred and what she has
simile “slithering down over the step like snake skin” - Offred is vilified and made to seem harmful by SJ

Question 6

context

Answer 6

loosely based on Phyllis Schlafly who embodies a more insidious form of misogyny - women hating women
as SJ is unhappy within the regime, Atwood’s warning is not only for the reader to be wary of female traditionalists but also as a deterrent to other women who aim to impose their own beliefs on others

Question 7

context pt 2

Answer 7

Phyllis Shlafly was a powerful conservative activist who promoted traditional values and opposed abortion rights, LGBTQ+ rights and feminism
she successfully campaigned against the ERA and promoted the oppression of other women