'The Handmaid's Tale' Chapter Summaries Flashcards
Chapter 1.
Offred remembers communicating with the other women from beds in the gymnasium of the red centre.
Chapter 2.
Offred goes about the house. She overhears gossip and collects shopping tokens
Chapter 3.
Offred goes into the garden and reminisces about when she first came to the house and met the commander’s wife.
Chapter 4.
Offred leaves the house to meet her partner and together they leave the commanders’ compound.
Chapter 5.
Offred and Ofglen go into some shops and buy things. They are met by tourists.
Chapter 6.
Offred and Ofglen walk past a church and graveyard and look at the wall where there are hanging men.
Chapter 7.
Offred remembers Moira at university and her mother when she was young, throwing magazines into a fire.
Chapter 8.
Offred and Ofglen return home. On their way they see a funeral procession and Nick speaks to Offred before she takes the things she bought to the kitchen. Offred remembers Serena Joy’s old roles.
Chapter 9.
We learn that Offred was an adulteress and of the message scratched into her wardrobe.
Chapter 10.
We learn about the warm weather, more about aunt Lydia and Moira and how Offred explored her room. The Commander leaves.
Chapter 11.
Doctor visit - doctor offers to impregnate Offred.
Chapter 12.
Offred has a bath and remembers her daughter. Afterwards, she eats (hiding the butter).
Chapter 13.
Offred is waiting. She remembers her training with Moira and how she tried to escape with Luke and her daughter.
Chapter 14.
Everyone gathers in the sitting room and waits for their commander whilst watching the news. We learn more about Offred’s attempt to escape.
Chapter 15.
The commander arrives and reads the bible aloud We learn about Moira’s attempt and failure to escape the training.
Chapter 16.
The ceremony.
Chapter 17.
Offred goes to steal something and is met and kissed by Nick.
Chapter 18.
We learn of Offred’s beliefs about Luke.
