Point of View in the Handmaid's Tale

How are the different characters presented and what are they like?

Offred - narrator, novel is told entirely from her point of view, can see all the things she sees (and deems relevant to recount for the purposes of the tapes), presented as a sort of victim, limited, she tells the plot as if she has no power, and her existence and sanity must remain inside her own head. Aunt Lydia - authority figure to Offred and the other Handmaids, especially in the Red Centre, presented as harsh and manipulative, Offred's flashbacks of different things she has said reveal a lot about her - Offred disagrees with what she says, so she may be describing Aunt Lydia in a misleadingly negative way Moira - Offred looks up to Moira, and has been friends with her since college. Because of Offred's relationship with her, we are given a subjective, positive view of her. Moira may be seen as a nuisance to other characters in the novel. Moira is revealed to us through Offred's memories and interactions with her. Serena Joy - another authority figure for Offred, she has the power to send Offred to the Colonies. (Note that Offred tells the Commander not to touch her face during the Ceremony, as she is afraid of what Serena will say. Serena also has the power to coerce Offred into a relationship with Nick, and is powerful enough to obtain knowledge and a photograph of Offred's daughter; which she leverages over Offred to her advantage.) Offred describes her as a hard woman, perhaps one who doesn't actually want a baby - this is not correct, as we learn later on in the novel that she does want a child (arranges Offred's meeting with Nick) and shows a softer side (offering Offred a cigarette). She is first introduced on page 19. The Commander - distant and detached from the rest of the household, but later, Offred spends time with him, and she gives us the impression that he is sad because of the arrangements in Gilead (wanting Offred to kiss him "as if you meant it"). He is still an authority figure for Offred who she is initially scared of. Rita - she doesn't warm to Offred, perhaps because of a disagreement with Gilead's regime (or another reason other than Offred herself), little background of her life, a lot could have happened. Only get Offred's POV, only know what she's like when Offred's around - shows evidence of being a nicer character with the gesture of giving Offred an ice cube on a hot day. Cora - more positive opinion from Offred, has a closer relationship to Cora (understanding of not telling Rita about why she was lying on the floor), Cora is generally more polite and warmer towards Offred.

Point of View