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"Janine was like a puppy that's been kicked too often"- This simile emphasizes Janine's vulnerability and helplessness. The term "kicked" implies repeated abuse, and "puppy" evokes innocence. This quote invites sympathy and highlights Gilead's cruelty.

"She's a flag on a hilltop"- This metaphor suggests Janine is a symbol of Gilead's oppressive system. As a flag represents a nation or cause, Janine represents the consequences of living in a society that dehumanizes women.

"It's Janine, telling about how she was gang-raped at fourteen and had an abortion [...] Her fault, her fault, her fault, we chant in unison."- This quote describes Janine's Testifying and highlights the victim-blaming mentality encouraged by Gilead. The chanting in unison emphasizes indoctrination and groupthink perpetuated by the regime.

"She thinks it's her fault", Ofglen whispers" - reveals Janine's internalized victim-blaming narrative. Ofglen's whisper signifies that expressing empathy for Janine is a subversive act. The quote highlights Gilead's manipulative control over its citizens.

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"My name isn't Offred, I have another name, which nobody uses now because it's forbidden. (14.37)" - demonstrates clearly that Offred is a victim of the system, as she has had her name stripped from her, something that is fundamental to ones’ identity, therefore she is a victim of the system as she has lost her identity because of its oppressive nature

"But it's no good, because I know you can't." This quote conveys a sense of futility and resignation. It implies that Offred is aware of the limitations imposed on her and others in Gilead, and that she knows certain desires or hopes will remain unfulfilled. It emphasizes the emotional and psychological struggle that comes with living under oppressive circumstances.

"I'm sorry it's in fragments like a body caught in crossfire or pulled apart by force." This metaphor captures the fragmented nature of Offred's narrative and experiences. Comparing her story to a body caught in crossfire or pulled apart by force suggests that her life has been violently disrupted by external forces. It emphasizes the brutality of Gilead's regime and the impact it has on the lives and identities of those living under its control.

'But I keep on going with this sad and hungry and sordid, this limping and mutilated story' - limping and mutilated, personifies her story, almost as if it represents her, demonstrating how as her story has progressed, Offred has become more and more damaged and hurt as a result of Gilead’s oppressive ideals, and how it has wounded her in a way. Clearly is indicative that she is a victim of the system

"I would like to believe this is a story I'm telling." This quote emphasizes Offred's desire for control over her own narrative. By framing her experience as a story, she hopes to regain some agency in her life, which is otherwise dictated by Gilead's oppressive regime.

"I need to believe it. I must believe it." The use of epistrophe and imperative verbs in this quote emphasizes Offred's desperation for control and the importance of her belief in shaping her reality. It highlights the psychological struggle she faces in maintaining her identity and sanity within Gilead.

"If it's a story I'm telling, then I have control over the ending." This quote further develops Offred's desire for agency. By asserting control over the ending, she seeks to create a sense of hope, even if it's only in her own mind, that her situation can change or improve.

"Sanity is a valuable possession; I hoard it the way people once hoarded money." This metaphor illustrates the importance of maintaining mental stability in Gilead. Offred's comparison of sanity to money implies that, in this oppressive society, mental clarity and resilience are more valuable assets than material wealth.

"We thought we had such problems. How were we to know that we were happy?" (48) This quote highlights the contrast between Offred's past life and her present situation in Gilead. The rhetorical question emphasizes the relative nature of happiness and suggests that it's difficult to recognize contentment until it's lost or threatened.

“Our happiness is part memory" (119) This quote suggests that happiness in Gilead relies heavily on recalling past experiences. It implies that memory plays a crucial role in preserving one's sense of self and emotional well-being, as it offers a connection to a time before Gilead's oppressive regime.

"Whatever the truth is, I will be ready for it" (100) This quote demonstrates Offred's resilience and determination. Despite the challenges she faces, she is committed to confronting the truth and adapting to her circumstances. It conveys a sense of hope and inner strength, even in the face of an uncertain future.

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“I am Ofglen” the woman says. Word perfect. And of she is, the new one, and Ofglen, wherever she is, is no longer Ofglen. I never did know her real name. That is how can get lost in a sea of names." Although having had her name changed by the oppressive society, the character's identity is stressed using the name "Ofglen" repeatedly. The character is determined to proclaim her individuality and avoid becoming lost in the sea of nameless handmaids, which is highlighted by the use of the words "I am Ofglen" twice. The pseudonym "Ofglen" is a representation of the dehumanization that occurs in Gilead culture. Society deprives people of their uniqueness and humanity by casting them in anonymous roles. The phrase "I am Ofglen" used by the heroine shows that she is resisting this dehumanisation. The issue is ironic because the character is claiming her identity while adopting a fictitious name. This emphasises how restrictive society is and how far people will go to retain their individuality. The attempt by Gilead society to obliterate people's uniqueness is demonstrated by the fact that the narrator was unaware of Ofglen's real name. This emphasizes how significant the character's act of defiance was and strengthens her heroism.

"She pushes him down, side-ways, then kicks his head viciously, one, two, three times, sharp painful jabs with the foot, well-aimed." The action-packed language of the quote emphasizes the physicality of the scene, making it vivid and intense. The use of verbs such as "pushes" and "kicks" highlights the violence of the act, and the repetition of "one, two, three times" emphasises the sustained nature of the attack.

"She hanged herself [...] She saw the van coming for her. It was better." This quote conveys the tragic end of Ofglen, illustrating the desperation of handmaids in Gilead. Ofglen's choice to commit suicide rather than face capture highlights the extreme fear and suffering under the regime. The phrase "It was better" implies that death was considered a preferable alternative to the expected punishment, emphasizing the devastating impact of Gilead's oppressive society.

“I think of her as a woman for whom every act is done for show, is acting rather than a real act. She does such things to look good, I think. She's out to make the best of it [...] But that is what I must look like to her, as well. How can it be otherwise?”  Highlights the performative nature of life in Gilead, where women like Ofglen and Offred must put on a facade to survive. It suggests that the outward compliance may not reflect their true feelings, and both women struggle to trust each other due to this mutual deception. The quote underscores the difficulty of forming genuine connections under oppressive systems.

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She represents courage and hope for Offred, a will and an agency that others have lost. As long as Moira had these qualities, it was okay that the narrator didn't, because at least she knew they still existed in the world. If Moira has lost them, Gilead has really won.

"I could kill you, you know, said Moira, when Aunt Elizabeth was safely stowed out of sight behind the furnace. I could injure you badly so you would never feel good in your body again. I could zap you with this, or stick this thing into your eye. Just remember I didn't, if it ever comes to that." demonstrates Moira's defiance and resilience in the face of Gilead's oppressive regime. Her threats to Aunt Elizabeth show her refusal to submit to authority figures and her ability to take control of a situation. The reminder that she chose not to harm Aunt Elizabeth despite her power to do so highlights her own moral compass and restraint.

"Moira was like an elevator with open sides. She made us dizzy. Already we were losing the taste for freedom, already we were finding these walls secure. In the upper reaches of the atmosphere, you'd come apart, you'd vaporize, there would be no pressure holding you together." This metaphor portrays Moira as a symbol of freedom and resistance, inspiring and disorienting others at the same time. The quote suggests that the other characters, including Offred, were starting to adapt to Gilead's oppressive system, finding security in the walls that confined them. Meanwhile, Moira's boldness and refusal to conform serve as a reminder of the freedom they once had, which creates a sense of vertigo and vulnerability in their new reality.

""Moira," I say. "You don't mean that." She is frightening me now, because what I hear in her voice is indifference, a lack of volition. Have they really done it to her then, taken away something - what? - that used to be so central to her? And how can I expect her to go on, with my idea of her courage, live it through, act it out, when I myself do not?" In this quote, Offred expresses her concern that Gilead's oppressive system has finally broken Moira's spirit. The indifference and lack of volition in Moira's voice signal a shift in her character, which frightens Offred. This moment raises questions about the limits of human resilience and resistance, as well as the expectations we place on others to maintain courage in the face of adversity. It also highlights Offred's self-reflection and her own struggle to live up to the ideals of resistance and courage.

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“Even my mother's face, usually pale, thinnish, looked ruddy and cheerful, like a Christmas card” – Offred’s mother finds pleasure in exercising her left-wing views. The contrast in the descriptions.

“But there were some women burning books, that's what she was really there for. To see her friends; she'd lied to me, Saturdays were supposed to be my day. I turned away from her, sulking…” – evidence of neglect

Chapter 7 - Offred's mother shows that she believes and promotes very left-wing views, by burning pornography displaying women on the cover - as a radical feminist, she advocates for censorship and violence.

Her mother’s example is a problematic model for Offred because it offers her no guidance. Offred certainly does not want to reproduce the mothering she received. Neglect characterizes her mother’s parenting style. Offred recalls some incidents from her childhood in terms of what she was doing without her mother (watching television while her mother slept in is mentioned twice, implying a sense of loneliness or desertion). Her mother’s absence during those early years stands out more than any events.

PURPOSE: Atwood is demonstrating the effects of neglect in one's childhood through the relationship that Offred and her mother had. Atwood’s message is that poor parenting can heavily influence and impact the behaviour of a child later in her life – this is seen through Offred’s behaviour, as she often seeks companionship and subverts to the wants and needs of the Commander, possibly out of fear of abandonment.

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"She doesn't make speeches anymore. She's become speechless." - plays into the role of a virtuous woman, as now that she has become purely a Wife within Gilead's society, she has now lost all her voice that she previously had as a celebrity – as a result of her own will, she is now just a housewife of sorts, that realistically contributes nothing and has no use within their society apart from controlling other women, which just seems to be a reflection of her own insecurities.

"She wasn't singing anymore by then she was making speeches. She was good at it."- Her speeches were about the sanctity of the home, about how women should stay home. - is promoting the role of being a ‘virtuous woman’, or in simpler terms, a housewife that “stays home” and serves only for the purpose of submitting themselves to expectation imposed on them by their society, and to serve their husbands or families.

"She stays in her home, but it doesn't seem to agree with her. How furious she must be, now that she's been taken at her word. "  highlights the irony that her own beliefs have contributed to her discontent, suggesting that she may feel anger and regret about her role in creating the oppressive society she now inhabits.

"There is loathing in her voice, as if the touch of my flesh sickens and contaminates her. I untangle myself from her body, stand up...  Before I turn away, I see her straighten her blue skirt, clench her legs together; she continues lying on the bed, gazing up at the canopy above her, stiff and straight as an effigy. - Which of us is it worse for, her or me? - the idea that although upon face value, Offred has less power than Serena Joy, due to their respective roles within Gilead, she in fact potentially has more, because she is able to reproduce. In terms of Gilead’s structure, the power of reproduction is unrivalled, therefore Offred holds this power over Serena Joy throughout the novel, despite her rank or position technically being below her.

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“Aunt Lydia did not actually say this, but it was implicit in everything she did say. It hovered over her head, like the golden mottoes over the saints, of the darker ages. Like them too, she was angular and without flesh.” uses vivid imagery to describe the unspoken messages that Aunt Lydia conveys through her teachings and actions. The comparison of these implicit messages to "golden mottoes over the saints" suggests that Aunt Lydia's words carry a sense of authority and righteousness, similar to religious dogma from darker times in history. By describing her as "angular and without flesh," the quote emphasizes Aunt Lydia's stern and unyielding demeanor, as well as her commitment to Gilead's harsh and unforgiving principles. This portrayal of Aunt Lydia underscores her role as an enforcer of Gilead's oppressive regime, even as she tries to present its values in a more palatable way to the handmaids.

“There is more than one kind of freedom, said Aunt Lydia. Freedom to and freedom from. In the days of anarchy, it was freedom to. Now you are being given freedom from. Don't underrate it.” - shown here and later when she suggests that Offred should try and feel for the Wives, Aunt Lydia often provides the other perspectives present in situations, and always tries to find reasoning for peoples’ actions in a way that creates sympathy for them. Demonstrates how she can be seen as a virtuous woman, as she tries to find the good in situations and in people – this shows that she is good-natured and kind and understanding.

"I've learned to do without a lot of things. If you have a lot of things, said Aunt Lydia, you get too attached to this material world and you forget about spiritual values. You must cultivate poverty of spirit. Blessed is the meek. She didn't go on to say anything about inheriting the earth." emphasizes the importance of focusing on spiritual values instead of material possessions. By encouraging the cultivation of "poverty of spirit," she presents a perspective that aligns with Gilead's religious doctrine. This demonstrates Aunt Lydia's role in supporting and reinforcing Gilead's values, even though she doesn't mention the full biblical verse that implies the meek will inherit the earth. Her selective use of religious teachings suggests that she may be attempting to manipulate the handmaids into accepting their circumstances with a sense of virtue and humility.

"Ordinary, said Aunt Lydia, is what you are used to. This may not seem ordinary to you now, but after a time it will. It will become ordinary." Aunt Lydia, in this quote, tries to normalize the oppressive conditions of Gilead by suggesting that the handmaids will eventually adapt to their new reality. She attempts to find a silver lining in the situation, encouraging the handmaids to accept their circumstances and find a sense of stability within them. However, this perspective can also be seen as a subtle form of manipulation, as it promotes complacency and discourages resistance against Gilead's regime.

"It's not the husbands you have to watch out for, said Aunt Lydia, it's the Wives. You should always try to imagine what they must be feeling. Of course, they will resent you. It is only natural. Try to feel for them." In this quote, Aunt Lydia encourages empathy and understanding for the Wives, despite their role in perpetuating the oppressive conditions within Gilead. By urging the handmaids to consider the Wives' feelings, Aunt Lydia seeks to humanize them and create a sense of sympathy for their situation. While this perspective may demonstrate Aunt Lydia's ability to see the good in people and situations, it also serves to further Gilead's interests by promoting harmony within the household and discouraging resistance among the handmaids.

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Presentation of Women In 'THE HANDMAID’S TALE' 

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Presentation of Women In 'THE HANDMAID’S TALE' 