Fertility theme

Question 1

fertility

Answer 1

the reason for Offred’s captivity and the source of her power- Gilead’s major failing and the hope for its future

Question 2

successful birth

Answer 2

Offred’s life depends on a successful birth, but the pressurising and the treatment of her can’t help

treated like objects, machines and sources of shame

Question 3

fertility symbolism

Answer 3

despite fertile atmosphere, there are markers of fertility, like flowers and worms in the Commander’s wifes garden

Question 4

Offred

Answer 4

Named as Fred’s possession

her body’s functions are valued but no her personhood

Question 5

Handmaids and babies

Answer 5

connection between the Handmaids and their children are stripped away as the commanders wives pretend to give birth too

Question 6

body like fruit

Answer 6

fertility symbol

the doctor’s flirtatious “honey” bothers Offred - she’d prefer to be treated impersonally

Question 7

inspiration for the ceremony

Answer 7

didn’t just come from the biblical story of Rachel and Leah, but also from Hitler’s biological wives

Question 8

chemical and nuclear accidents

Answer 8

as a consequence, the death rate exceeds the birth rate so there is a concern for the extermination of the human race - sharp contrast to 1984, where the perpetual wars do not seem to detract from human survival