English literature: Handmaid's Tale (Basics) Flashcards
Who is the author of The Handmaid’s Tale?
Margaret Atwood
Who is the protagonist?
Offred (June)
What is Gilead?
The regime that replaced the USA.
True or false - Gilead is a totalitarian, secular state?
False - Gilead is NOT a secular state but a theocracy.
Define totalitarian
A political system in which those in power have complete control and do not allow people freedom to oppose them
Define theocracy
A state that is governed by a government that derives its authority directly from a religion.
What is the name of Offred’s husband?
Luke
What is the name of Offred’s daughter?
Hannah
Who is the Commander?
A high-ranking official in Gilead and is the husband of Serena Joy (and cheats on her).
Who is Serena Joy?
A former televangelist who is the Commander’s wife.
Who is Nick?
The mysterious chauffeur of the Commander who Offred has a sexual relationship with near the end of the novel.
Who is Moira?
Offred’s best friend from the past who becomes a prostitute at Jezebels.
Who is Ofglen?
A handmaid who becomes a friend of Offred and is part of Mayday.
Who is Aunt Lydia?
An Aunt at the Red Centre who enforces the rule and values of Gilead.
What is a clandestine cell system?
A method for organising resistance fighters so that the only people a member knows is the people in their cell (group) so that it is harder for agents of the state to infiltrate the system.
