THT StudyGuide Ch.13-23

Question 1

Why does Offred suggest that boredom can be erotic?

Answer 1

Because men like the idea of women waiting around, doing nothing, until they are ready for them. It gives them a sense of power, which is erotic.

Question 2

How has Offred’s attitude towards her body changed?

Answer 2

• She used to think of her body as an extension of herself, as something that gave her pleasure, took her places, helped her do what she wanted to.
• Now, her self no longer matters, and her body is only important because of its “central object”, her womb, which can bear a child

Question 3

What do her dreams about her husband and daughter have in common?

Answer 3

Loss, disappearance

Question 4

6. “Of all the dreams this is the worst.” Why?

Answer 4

• Her daughter was/is the most important thing in her life.

- She is reliving the loss of her daughter. Losing a child creates an emptiness in a mothers heart

Question 5

Why are we never told of Offreds real name?

Answer 5

The name is in the past and she tries to convince herself that a name is like a phone number.

Question 6

Why were they warned not to look too happy when they were trying to escape Gilead?

Answer 6

Since no one looks happy under this new regime, happiness would be a dead giveaway that they were expecting to escape.

Question 7

Why is the Bible kept locked up?

Answer 7

Only the head of the household is allowed to read it. Reading is considered a subversive activity, since it encourages people to think, and to have opinions. And access to the Bible could cause people to question the government, which bases its rules on the Bible – and indeed alters Biblical texts to suit itself.

Question 8

In what other era were Bibles kept away from the general population?

Answer 8

Bibles were kept from the general population throughout the Middle Ages as a way of protecting and reinforcing the authority of the Church

Question 9

he Bible-reading ends with Zachariah 4:10. Why is this an appropriate verse to end all these Bible readings?

Answer 9

It emphasises the constant surveillance, so much a part of Gilead society, and the expectation of obedience.

Question 10

How does the fact that kissing is forbidden make the Ceremony “bearable”?

Answer 10

Kissing is inescapably intimate; sex can be more detached.

Question 11

Why does she kiss Nick? what is her reaction when Nick comes to fetch her?

Answer 11

-Hunger, desperation. “What else comes from such denial?”

There has been a chemistry between them from the start; she was attracted the first time she saw him. But how much that was a result of deprivation she does not know.

Question 12

What hope keeps Offred alive?

Answer 12

The thought of her Husband (Luke) or Daughter being alive.

“I believe Luke is… I also believe that Luke is… I also believe…”

Question 13

What are the odds that a baby will be born seriously deformed? What has caused this situation?

Answer 13

One in four. Pollution: toxic chemicals from pesticides and medicines, radiation

Question 14

Why is anesthetics no longer allowed at births?

Answer 14

It is better for babies not to be born dopey – very true – but also the Bible says that Eve’s punishment for the loss of Eden was that women would have babies in ‘sorrow’ i.e. pain.

Question 15

What is “Gyn Ed”?

Answer 15

Gynaecological Education – education about women’s bodies and medical matters

Question 16

3. You’re just a backlash. Flash in the pan. History will absolve me.” [131/115] Explain what Offred’s mother means.

Answer 16

Feminists like her had made great advances for women’s rights and freedoms; Offred’s lack of support for this was seen by her mother as an aberration, no more than the inevitable negative response of the next generation to any radical change. Real progress would continue – the future will prove her right and Offred wrong. What has happened in Gilead certainly proves that she was right to fight and stand up for freedom.

Question 17

Why did Offred rebel against her mother as a young woman? How does she feel about her now?

Answer 17

Her mother was unusual, a non-conformist, extreme in her attitudes to men; she chose to have a chid on her own. Offred ‘rebelled’ by following the traditional behaviour patterns: fall in love, marry, have children. This is ironic, given that most children rebel against respectable and conformist parents by behaving outrageously. She felt she was expected to be some sort of ideal child, to live up to her mother’s expectations rather than be herself. Now, she would give anything to have her back.

Question 18

From chapters 20 and 21, explain how an “Unwoman” is defined.

Answer 18

Time Before- feminists, women who protested for abortion rights, against pornography, against rape.

Gilead- a Handmaid who does not produce a healthy child./ old and useless woman

Question 19

The reference at the end of the chapter to a “women’s culture” refers to the idea held by some feminists that women possess superior values and could build a superior society. What is Offred’s attitude toward this idea?

Answer 19

she did not agree with her mother at first because she believed there was both good and bad in both sexes. Now she acknowledged that Gilead has established a woman’s culture of sorts.

Tone: bitter and sarcastic (implying that extremists like her mother contributed to the creation of Gilead)

Question 20

What does the term “loose woman” usually refer to? In what ways is Moira a “loose woman”?

Answer 20

Loose woman is a woman of “loose morals” i.e. does not conform to the traditional ideas of chastity of women.

Moira is “loose” because she is free. And as a Lesbian does not conform to Heterosexual mores.

Question 21

Why is Offred terrified when she first goes to the Commander in his study?

Answer 21

It is forbidden, illegal; she feels as if she has been summoned to the principal’s office.

• she will be sent to the colonies if caught and does not know what he wants.

Question 22

Playing Scrabble hardly seems to be a “dangerous” or “indecent” activity, yet it is. Why?

Answer 22

By its very illegality. Reading and writing are forbidden as subversive, since they encourage people to think.

Question 23

When the Commander asks Offred to kiss him, she tells us she thought of murdering him – and then says that she did not think it at all. Why does she make this up?

Answer 23

she feels guilty for agreeing to kiss him. she wishes she was more courageous and better.