Summary of The Handmaid's Tale

EPIGRAPH

VERY IMPORTANT!!! Genesis, 30:1-3, surrounding law of Gilead society. Rachel is telling her husband to impregnate her maid (as she is unable to conceive) so that she can have a child to care for. Relevant because Commanders attempt to impregnate Handmaids. Society is also religious. Swift, A Modest Proposal quote, book sarcastically says that people should raise children like animals, kind of like the Gileaden society. Sufi Proverb, implies that some rules shouldn't need to be written down as should be obvious (like breeding women).

CHAPTER 1

Narrator and multiple women sleeping in army cots in old gymnasium. Nets from basketball hoops gone, prevents attempted suicide. Two Aunts guarding so don't talk or rebel. Women have to stay inside except 2 walks a day. Guarded outside by guards and Angels (reference to bible?). Women dream of seducing the Angels since they always have their backs turned to them. Women mouth names to one another. All names some sort of biblical reference other than "Moira" who we later learn is rebellious.

CHAPTER 2

Description of her feminine bedroom. "They've removed anything you can tie a rope to", someone killed self before. The thought of killing self is obviously very tempting. Window also only opens partly, probably child locked, prevents jumping out. Picture with no glass frame. Aunt Lydia describes as army. "Like other things now, thought must be rationed." What's happened? "Thinking can hurt your chances, and I intend to last." What's going on? "It isn't running away they're afraid of. We wouldn't get far. It's those other escapes, the ones you can open in yourself, given a cutting edge." Is this a prison? "The circumstances have been reduced; for those of us who still have circumstances." "Where I am is not a prison but a privilege" what do others have to put up with? "The colour of blood, which defines us." Why? Handmaids heavily clothed, minimal skin. Door has coloured glass = red & blue, handmaid & commander's wife? Narrator gets "tokens" from Rita, a Martha. Flashback to hearing Martha's talking about Handmaids. Would rather be "Unwoman". "In the houses of the Commanders there is still real coffee" as though this is a luxury Dreams of gossiping with Marthas. "I hunger to touch something, other than cloth or wood" Lonely.

CHAPTER 3

When describing knitting, mentions "Angels at the front lines." War? Flashback to 5 weeks ago of entrance to this house. Entered through front door, but can now only use the back. Guardian escorted her to new house. Commander's Wife didn't seem happy to let narrator in. Learn that this is Handmaid's third assignment (third Commander). CW's eyes described as "hostile blue" & "a blue that shuts you out" . Automatic bad impression. Rude. Doesn't like her. CW warns handmaid to stay away from her husband "he's just that." Recognises CW as Serena Joy, used to be on a Gospel TV programme.

CHAPTER 4

Walks outside, passes Nick, chauffer. Suspicious of him. Winks at her; this is forbidden. Distresses narrator, suspects he is an Eye (Spy for Gilead Government). Has to go to town with another Handmaid, Ofglen, so they can spy on each other. Offred believes Ofglen is a "real believer" in Gilead. Small talk. Confirmation that war is  occurring. Reach barrier. Talk about how Martha shot at barrier week before as thought she was looking for bomb. Flashback to hearing Martha's talking about it in kitchen. "They (the guards) are supposed to show respect, because of the nature of our service." What does she do? A guard looks at her face, forbidden. But Offred likes it, fantasises about showing more.

CHAPTER 5

In town, eerily quiet. Flashback to talking to Luke about buying house together, and having children. Flashback to dangers of women in society previously. "Freedom from" Shop signs wordless as society doesn't think women should read anymore.