Of the good in you I can speak, but not of the evil. Foreshadowing and repetition are also present in the novel.2.1 Definition and Understanding of Power and Authority (Gramsci & Foucault)ĥ Women in Gilead: Victims or Perpetrators? There are also quotes from the Old Testament and direct references to stories. She crafted much of the novel around Biblical principles of how a woman should act. One of the most noteworthy is on page ninety-six when Offred says “We are containers, it’s only the inside of our bodies that are important”.Īdditionally, Atwood uses numerous examples of allusion. In regards to figurative language, Atwood uses metaphors and similes throughout the novel in order to create the most poignant images she could. She often thinks about the past and wonders what kind o future she’s going to have. Offred spends a great deal of time analyzing her own emotions and intentions. These flashbacks provide the reader with the information they need to understand how Offred got to where she is and what happened to her family. She jumps between the main narrative, that of Offred in Gilead, and Offred’s accounts of the past. Throughout the novel, Margaret Atwood uses a nonlinear style of writing. There are moments of nostalgia as well when Offred pines for the past and the family she used to have. The entirety of her independence has been striped away from her. Hope and happiness are few are far between and Offred only just makes it from day to day in her life. The tone throughout The Handmaid’s Tale is bleak. The Historical Notes from Professor Pieixoto conclude the novel.

Nick tells Offred that the resistance is there to take her away.

Serena discovers Offred went to the club with the Commander.

A Salvaging occurs and Ofglen disappears.Serena takes Offred to Nick so that they might have sex and conceive a child.The Commander takes Offred to the club for commanders.The Commander explains his feelings about gender roles to Offred.Offred recalls attempting to escape with Luke.The Commander gives Offred a magazine to read.The Commander and Offred play Scrabble in his office.Offred and the other Handmaids attend a birth and she recalls Moira’s escape.Offred worries about what happened to her husband, Luke.She kisses Nick and he tells her that the Commander wants to see her tomorrow in his office.Offred steals a daffodil from downstairs and leaves it pressed under her mattress.She spends time recalling her own life and Nick breaks the rules by speaking to her.Offred remembers Aunt Lydia’s words at the Red Center.They go to the Wall where bodies of traitors are displayed.Offred and Ofglen see the Japanese tourists.Offred goes shopping with Ofglen Nick winks at her.Offred arrives at Fred and Serena Joy’s home to become their new Handmaid.Analysis of Key Moments in The Handmaid’s Tale

The handmaid's tale atwood