The past tense narrations present throughout illustrates Offred's reminicisence on the world of the past. Specifically she mentions in the first chapter old gymnasiums and the different eras of women that once inhabited it. This provides a stark contrast to the environment described for Offred, a cold, harsh, jarring landscape that jumpstarts the stories narrative themes.

Peter:

The reader sees how freedom and language are controlled from Offred and Ofglen's walk to the market. The simple signs have been replaced by pictures to reduce temptation. This moment captures just how much Gilead will go to censor expression.

"I'm his mistress. Men at the top have always had mistresses..." This quote demonstrates the fragility of the relationship between commander and Offred. She understands that because of her position and despite his seeming sweetness, she can't recognize their relationship as more than it is.

Peter:

“It’s an oasis of the forbidden.” Offred seeing the books shows how knowledge and literacy is rare and is seen as rebellion in Gilead.

Tyler:

"Nolite te bastardes carborundorum."

It means roughly "Don't let the bastards grind you down." It gives Offred some form of hope and makes her feel like she's not completely powerless.

Systematic patriarchy is one of the large themes present throughout the novel. Consistently there are more and more references to the processes put in place to keep women where they are.

Peter:

Memory and reality is one of the major themes in the story. Offred constantly brings up the past and compares it with the present, the memories always being happier.

A key scene in these chapters is when Offred visits Jezebel's with the Commander. The club is the hypocrisy within Gilead, where the men indulge in the same practices that they condemn in public.

Aidan :

A key scene from this reading is the jezebel's club. Here it illustrates what happened to Moira, and the perverse rule breaking nature of Gilead's elites. It demonstrates the theme that the almighty and powerful don't necessarily have to adhere to the rules of society.

Tyler:

A key scene from these readings is when Offred secretly meets with the Commander in his office to play Scrabble. This moment is powerful because it shows the first real act of rebellion between a Handmaid and her Commander. The simple game becomes a symbol of Offred reclaiming her sense of individuality and forbidden knowledge, like literacy.

A key scene within this section lies within Moira's escape. Her being able to leave the red center builds her up as the face of rebellion and of standing against the institution. Her success is especially impressive considering the cards stacked against her, and provides a glimpse of inspiration to the surrounding women.

Peter:

A key scene in this section is when Offred participates in Salvaging. The moment Handmaids turn violent illustrate how the regime controls their bodies and emotional and moral judgement. Gilead's power reaches far, and Offred is horrified.

Tyler:

A key scene is the "ceremony" in Chapter 16, where the commander has intercourse with Offred while Serena Joy holds her down. This scene really shows how corrupt and controlling Gilead is. It's disturbing almost because this act is treated like something normal and religious.

“Better never means better for everyone... It always means worse, for some.” The commander's self-justifying mindset is revealed here, along with the moral blindness of Gilead's leaders. It illustrates how privilege can convince those in power that they are the righteous.

Aidan :

"I think of my mother, sweeping up deadly toxins; the way they used to use up old women, in Russia, sweeping dirt. Only this dirt will kill her. I can’t quite believe it. Surely her cockiness, her optimism and energy, her pizzazz, will get her out of this. She will think of something." : This quote applies not only to Offred's mother but to Moira. Offred had thought at one point that Moira's cunning had allowed her to escape. Now that Moira sees this isn't true, this thought about "pizzaz" getting her mom out of situations may start to falter, Offred once thought Moira could escape anything, she now sees she can't.

Tyler:

"My name isn't Offred, I have another name, which nobody uses now because it's forbidden." This quote stands out to me because it truly captures how the regime strips people of their identity and power. It reminds readers that names carry history and identity, both of which Gilead tries to erase from them. Offred quietly insists that she still has a real name, which becomes an act of resistance.

"Rules that were never spelled out hut every woman knew" : this quote illustrates the important theme of systemic misogyny present throughout the story. It highlights the patriarchal systems in place past day to day mistreatment. There a rules inherent to the world around Offred, ones put in place that shape the way people are treated.

Peter:

"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." This quote stood out because it gives context to how the regime keeps power. Freedom is redefined so that limitations are meant as protections. It sort of makes you question just who defines freedom.

What is the significance behind the names of positions given to members of the Gilead society?

Peter:

Why did the author chose to write Offred with a calm tone in the face a world of restrictions and horror?

Why does the Commander bring Offred to Jezebel’s even though it’s forbidden?

Aidan :

What is the significance of the conversation between Serena and Offred over the commander and nick?

Tyler:

Why does the commander risk his position and safety by meeting secretly with Offred?

What does the relationship between Offred and Commander Warren reveal about the role of men in society?

Peter:

How does Offred’s growing involvement with Nick change her sense of identity and her willingness to take risks?

Tyler:

Do you think that Offred actually has affection toward the Commander, or is she just pretending so she can survive?

A major theme in these chapters is the corruption that is hidden behind control. Purity and order seems to be the enforced laws, but the leaders indulge in the crimes.

Aidan :

The themes in this reading seem to be that of the fragility behind society. We see that the rules and structure of Gilead remain strict for those oppressed by it, but for those that benefit from the system, they are allowed utmost freedom.

Tyler:

A major theme in this section and the whole book is control, but in comparison to resistance. Gilead's entire system is built upon controlling women's bodies and voices, yet small acts of defiance, like playing Scrabble, become a way to resist that control. The chapters slowly show how rebellion doesn't always come through violence but through reclaiming their identity.

Here we see consistent themes emerging of pushback against the institution. Moira violates the rules of the land first. Offred follows suit by kissing Nick and Commander Warren.

Peter:

In these chapters themes of desire becoming resistance is prevalent. Offred's relationship with Nick allows her to have physical and emotional freedom outside of the regime's control. However, this is dangerous in this world that is built by fear.

Tyler:

One prevalent theme that really stands out is power and control. Everyone's actions are based on who has power and who doesn't, especially between men and women.

A key scene from this section is when Offred goes and visits the Wall and sees the bodies of the executed men hanging there. This moment really emphasizes and illustrates the climate of fear and control that defines Gilead, reminding both Offred and the reader of the consequences of rebellion and the total loss of individual freedom.

Aidan :

A key scene from this section of chapters is the ceremony scene. This scene is incredibly gruesome and depicts the disturbing ritual that dictates the world of the handmaid's tale. While up to this point the themes of a patriarchal systematically mysoginistic society were present, at this moment the deep seeded sexual violence that is hinted towards are revealed.

Peter:

A key scene of these chapters is when the doctor offers to impregnate Offred himself so she wouldn't be punished for not conceiving. It seems like help, but it illustrates that she has no real consent, even when in private.

"We lived, as usual, by ignoring. Ignoring isn't the same as ignorance, you have to work at it."

This quote stands out to me because it really captures how people in Gilead, and in real societies, become complicit by choosing not to see oppression. It shows how denial and complacency allow tyranny to not just sprout but also to thrive.

Aidan :

"The Bible is kept locked up, the way people once kept tea locked up, so the servants wouldn't steal it. It is an incendiary device: who knows what we'd make of it, if we ever got our hands on it?"

Here this quote demonstrates the fragility of the past we know. The bible, an item so revered in society of today, much less the time period the book was written in, illustrates just how far Gilead has deviated from the norms of society, and is another marker of a "new norm". The bible transitioned from what people considered the most important book to a fire starter.

Peter:

"Nolite te bastardes carborundorum." This message is found by Offred, and is carved by the Handmaid before her. She treats it like a silent act of rebellion and a source of strength. It is one of the first moments where she felt like rebellion might exist.

Why do you think the women in Gilead, like Serena Joy and the Aunts, help enforce the same system that takes away their own freedom?

Aidan :

To what extent do the interspered flashbacks from Atwood contribute to the overall contrast between past and present she seeks to create within life before and after Gilead.

Peter:

Do you think Offred meets with the Commander because she wants a little power back, or it's because she's lonely and wants to feel noticed?

A major theme in these chapters is power and control, especially through fear. The regime uses public executions, ritualized greetings, and surveillance to dominate every aspect of life.

Aidan :

The major theme within these chapters is that between power of the republic versus power of the individual. We see the overwhelming power associated with the top of society, as well as the power of men over women via the ceremony. Through these comparisons we see how individual power trembles in comparison to that of the majority.

Peter:

A major theme throughout these chapters is silent resistance against the control. Gilead tries to control every part of women's identities, but there are small forms of resistance, like secret messages and forbidden meetings.

A key scene is when Offred has her first sexual encounter with Nick, arranged by Serena Joy. This moment is significant because it illustrates how women in Gilead are exploited as tools, even in intimate relationships. It also highlights Offred's conflicting feelings of fear and survival, since she doesn't fully trust Nick but needs him for safety.

Peter:

A key scene in these chapters is the Particicution, when the Handmaids are allowed to violently attack the man that was accused of rape. Offred is caught up in this frenzy, and she is filled with confusion and guilt. This scene illustrates Gilead's ability to turn anger into weapons, and victims like Handmaids are instruments to the system.

Aidan:

A key scene within these chapters is Ofglen's suicide, wherein Ofglen hangs herself in order to restrain from revealing the secrets of the resistance. It demonstrates the extreme nature of the society they live within, one that has been illustrated throughout but the effects of which have not been explicitly shown until now. It also demonstrates the shattering of complacency in the society the people inhabit.

"Whether this is my end or a new beginning, I have no way of knowing: I have given myself over into the hands of strangers, because it can't be helped. And so I step up, into the darkness within, or else the light." This quote stands out because it perfectly captures Offred's uncertainty and bravery at the climax of the story. It shows that even though she has no control over her circumstances, she chooses to move forward with hope and caution. It also reflects the theme of survival, as she must trust others and take risks to find freedom.

Peter:

"She hanged herself... She saw the van coming for her. It was better."

This quote about Ofglen is a reminder of the constant surveillance and fear that pushes people past their limits. Gilead's cruel psychological violence is depicted here, and choosing death is the only way out for some. It has ended up being the only form of control left.

Aidan :

"A sigh goes up from us; despite myself I feel my hands clench. It is too much, this violation. The baby too, after what we go through. It’s true, there is a bloodlust; I want to tear, gouge, rend. "

This quote illustrates the violence boiling for Offred and the rest of the handmaids throughout the whole novel. It shows that even the victims of oppression are willing participants once they are provided the privilege to fight back.

Why do you think Offred decides to trust the Eyes and leave with them even though she doesn't know what will happen?

Peter:

What does Offred's growing attachment to Nick mean about her need for comfort and identity in this dystopian land? Does this relationship with Nick help her survive or merely puts her in a more vulnerable situation?

Aidan:

(From the historical Notes) : What is the significance of the historians response to the video tapes? How does it show that the history of women's oppression hasn't ended even so far into the future?

A major theme in these chapters is uncertainty and survival. Offred constantly faces life-or-death choices, like trusting Nick or surrendering to the Eyes. This showed how survival in Gilead often meant stepping into the unknown. Another theme is courage, because she must keep moving forward even when the outcome is unclear.

Peter:

A key theme throughout these chapters is the collapse of illusion. Offred learns the truth behind Gilead, and the morality of this society is cracked open as seen in Ofglen's suicide to the Eyes arriving for Offred. The system is built on fear and secrecy rather than order.

Aidan :

A key theme within this chapter is the relationship between people and the oppressive forces that shackle them. The participicution scene provides the reactions of the women and demonstrates how they interact when provided the space for violence.