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 Handmaid’s Tale remain% one o' t!e mo%t "ower'#$ re-ent "ortra)a$% o' a tota$itarian %o-iet), an& one

o' t!e 'ew &)%to"ian nove$% to examine in &etai$ t!e inter%e-tion o' "o$iti-% an& %ex#a$it) T!e nove$4%

ex"$oration o' t!e -ontrover%ia$ "o$iti-% o' re"ro&#-tion %eem% $i(e$) to +#arantee Atwoo&4% nove$ a

rea&er%!i" we$$ into t!e twent)/'ir%t -ent#r)

Atwoo& $ive% in Toronto wit! nove$i%t Graeme Gib%on an& t!eir &a#+!ter, ;e%% .er mo%t re-ent nove$,

The Blind Assassin, won Great Britain4% Boo(er <ri5e 'or $iterat#re in =

<$ot Overview

ORED 7S A .ANDMA7D in t!e Re"#b$i- o' Gi$ea&, a tota$itarian an& t!eo-rati- %tate t!at !a% re"$a-e&

t!e nite& State% o' Ameri-a Be-a#%e o' &an+ero#%$) $ow re"ro&#-tion rate%, .an&mai&% are

a%%i+ne& to bear -!i$&ren 'or e$ite -o#"$e% t!at !ave tro#b$e -on-eivin+ O''re& %erve% t!e Comman&er  

an& !i% wi'e, Serena ;o), a 'ormer +o%"e$ %in+er an& a&vo-ate 'or 2tra&itiona$ va$#e% O''re& i% not

t!e narrator4% rea$ name:.an&mai& name% -on%i%t o' t!e wor& 2o' 'o$$owe& b) t!e name o' t!e

.an&mai&4% Comman&er Ever) mont!, w!en O''re& i% at t!e ri+!t "oint in !er men%tr#a$ -)-$e, %!e

m#%t !ave im"er%ona$, wor&$e%% %ex wit! t!e Comman&er w!i$e Serena %it% be!in& !er, !o$&in+ !er 

!an&% O''re&4% 'ree&om, $i(e t!e 'ree&om o' a$$ women, i% -om"$ete$) re%tri-te& S!e -an $eave t!e

!o#%e on$) on %!o""in+ tri"%, t!e &oor to !er room -annot be -om"$ete$) %!#t, an& t!e E)e%, Gi$ea&4%

%e-ret "o$i-e 'or-e, wat-! !er ever) "#b$i- move

A% O''re& te$$% t!e %tor) o' !er &ai$) $i'e, %!e 're0#ent$) %$i"% into '$a%!ba-(%, 'rom w!i-! t!e

rea&er -an re-on%tr#-t t!e event% $ea&in+ #" to t!e be+innin+ o' t!e nove$ 7n t!e o$& wor$&,

 be'ore Gi$ea&, O''re& !a& an a''air wit! >#(e, a marrie& man .e &ivor-e& !i% wi'e an& marrie&

O''re&, an& t!e) !a& a -!i$& to+et!er O''re&4% mot!er wa% a %in+$e mot!er an& 'emini%t a-tivi%t

O''re&4% be%t 'rien&, Moira, wa% 'ier-e$) in&e"en&ent T!e ar-!ite-t% o' Gi$ea& be+an t!eir ri%e to

 "ower in an a+e o' rea&i$) avai$ab$e "orno+ra"!), "ro%tit#tion, an& vio$en-e a+ain%t women: 

w!en "o$$#tion an& -!emi-a$ %"i$$% $e& to &e-$inin+ 'erti$it) rate% %in+ t!e mi$itar), t!e)

a%%a%%inate& t!e "re%i&ent an& member% o' Con+re%% an& $a#n-!e& a -o#", -$aimin+ t!at t!e)

were ta(in+ "ower tem"orari$) T!e) -ra-(e& &own on women4% ri+!t%, 'orbi&&in+ women to

!o$& "ro"ert) or ob% O''re& an& >#(e too( t!eir &a#+!ter an& attem"te& to '$ee a-ro%% t!e bor&er 

into Cana&a, b#t t!e) were -a#+!t an& %e"arate& 'rom one anot!er, an& O''re& !a% %een neit!er 

!er !#%ban& nor !er &a#+!ter %in-e

A'ter !er -a"t#re, O''re&4% marria+e wa% voi&e& ?be-a#%e >#(e !a& been &ivor-e&@, an& %!e wa%

%ent to t!e Ra-!e$ an& >ea! Re/e&#-ation Center, -a$$e& t!e Re& Center b) it% in!abitant% At t!e

-enter, women were in&o-trinate& into Gi$ea&4% i&eo$o+) in "re"aration 'or be-omin+ .an&mai&%

A#nt >)&ia %#"ervi%e& t!e women, +ivin+ %"ee-!e% exto$$in+ Gi$ea&4% be$ie'% t!at women %!o#$&

 be %#b%ervient to men an& %o$e$) -on-erne& wit! bearin+ -!i$&ren A#nt >)&ia a$%o ar+#e& t!at

=

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%#-! a %o-ia$ or&er #$timate$) o''er% women more re%"e-t an& %a'et) t!an t!e o$&, "re/Gi$ea&

%o-iet) o''ere& t!em Moira i% bro#+!t to t!e Re& Center, b#t %!e e%-a"e%, an& O''re& &oe% not

(now w!at be-ome% o' !er

On-e a%%i+ne& to t!e Comman&er4% !o#%e, O''re&4% $i'e %ett$e% into a re%tri-tive ro#tine S!e ta(e%

%!o""in+ tri"% wit! O'+$en, anot!er .an&mai&, an& t!e) vi%it t!e Wa$$ o#t%i&e w!at #%e& to be

.arvar& niver%it), w!ere t!e bo&ie% o' rebe$% !an+ S!e m#%t vi%it t!e &o-tor 're0#ent$) to be

-!e-(e& 'or &i%ea%e an& ot!er -om"$i-ation%, an& %!e m#%t en&#re t!e 2Ceremon), in w!i-! t!e

Comman&er rea&% to t!e !o#%e!o$& 'rom t!e Bib$e, t!en +oe% to t!e be&room, w!ere !i% Wi'e an&

O''re& wait 'or !im, an& !a% %ex wit! O''re& T!e 'ir%t brea( 'rom !er ro#tine o--#r% w!en %!e

vi%it% t!e &o-tor an& !e o''er% to !ave %ex wit! !er to +et !er "re+nant, %#++e%tin+ t!at !er 

Comman&er i% "robab$) in'erti$e S!e re'#%e% T!e &o-tor ma(e% !er #nea%), b#t !i% "ro"o%ition i%

too ri%():%!e -o#$& be %ent awa) i' -a#+!t A'ter a Ceremon), t!e Comman&er %en&% !i%

+ar&ener an& -!a#''e#r, Ni-( , to a%( O''re& to -ome %ee !im in !i% %t#&) t!e 'o$$owin+ ni+!t S!e

 be+in% vi%itin+ !im re+#$ar$) T!e) "$a) S-rabb$e ?w!i-! i% 'orbi&&en, %in-e women are not

a$$owe& to rea&@, an& !e $et% !er $oo( at o$& ma+a5ine% $i(e Voge. At t!e en& o' t!e%e %e-ret

meetin+%, !e a%(% !er to (i%% !im

D#rin+ one o' t!eir %!o""in+ tri"%, O'+$en revea$% to O''re& t!at %!e i% a member o' 2Ma)&a),

an #n&er+ro#n& or+ani5ation &e&i-ate& to overt!rowin+ Gi$ea& Meanw!i$e, O''re& be+in% to 'in&

t!at t!e Ceremon) 'ee$% &i''erent an& $e%% im"er%ona$ now t!at %!e (now% t!e Comman&er T!eir 

ni+!ttime -onver%ation% be+in to to#-! on t!e new or&er t!at t!e Comman&er an& !i% 'e$$ow

$ea&er% !ave -reate& in Gi$ea& W!en O''re& a&mit% !ow #n!a"") %!e i%, t!e Comman&er 

remar(%, 2o# -an4t ma(e an ome$ette wit!o#t brea(in+ e++%

A'ter %ome time !a% +one b) wit!o#t O''re& be-omin+ "re+nant, Serena %#++e%t% t!at O''re&

!ave %ex wit! Ni-( %e-ret$) an& "a%% t!e -!i$& o'' a% t!e Comman&er4% Serena "romi%e% to brin+

O''re& a "i-t#re o' !er &a#+!ter i' %!e %$ee"% wit! Ni-(, an& O''re& rea$i5e% t!at Serena !a%

a$wa)% (nown t!e w!ereabo#t% o' O''re&4% &a#+!ter T!e %ame ni+!t t!at O''re& i% to %$ee" wit!

 Ni-(, t!e Comman&er %e-ret$) ta(e% !er o#t to a -$#b -a$$e& ;e5ebe$4%, w!ere t!e Comman&er%

min+$e wit! "ro%tit#te% O''re& %ee% Moira wor(in+ t!ere T!e two women meet in a bat!room,

an& O''re& $earn% t!at Moira wa% -a"t#re& #%t be'ore %!e -ro%%e& t!e bor&er S!e -!o%e $i'e in

;e5ebe$4% over bein+ %ent to t!e Co$onie%, w!ere mo%t "o$iti-a$ "ri%oner% an& &an+ero#% "eo"$e

are %ent A'ter t!at ni+!t at ;e5ebe$4%, O''re& %a)%, %!e never %ee% Moira a+ain T!e Comman&er 

ta(e% O''re& #"%tair% a'ter a 'ew !o#r%, an& t!e) !ave %ex in w!at #%e& to be a !ote$ room S!e

trie% to 'ei+n "a%%ion

3

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Soon a'ter O''re& ret#rn% 'rom ;e5ebe$4%, $ate at ni+!t, Serena arrive% an& te$$% O''re& to +o to

 Ni-(4% room O''re& an& Ni-( !ave %ex Soon t!e) be+in to %$ee" to+et!er 're0#ent$), wit!o#t

an)one4% (now$e&+e O''re& be-ome% -a#+!t #" in t!e a''air an& i+nore% O'+$en4% re0#e%t% t!at

%!e +at!er in'ormation 'rom t!e Comman&er 'or Ma)&a) One &a), a$$ t!e .an&mai&% ta(e "art in

a +ro#" exe-#tion o' a %#""o%e& ra"i%t, %#"ervi%e& b) A#nt >)&ia O'+$en %tri(e% t!e 'ir%t b$ow

>ater, %!e te$$% O''re& t!at t!e %o/-a$$e& ra"i%t wa% a member o' Ma)&a) an& t!at %!e !it !im to

 "#t !im o#t o' !i% mi%er)

S!ort$) t!erea'ter, O''re& +oe% o#t %!o""in+, an& a new O'+$en meet% !er T!i% new woman i% not

 "art o' Ma)&a), an& %!e te$$% O''re& t!at t!e o$& O'+$en !an+e& !er%e$' w!en %!e %aw t!e %e-ret

 "o$i-e -omin+ 'or !er At !ome, Serena !a% 'o#n& o#t abo#t O''re&4% tri" to ;e5ebe$4%, an& %!e

%en&% !er to !er room, "romi%in+ "#ni%!ment O''re& wait% t!ere, an& %!e %ee% a b$a-( van 'rom

t!e E)e% a""roa-! T!en Ni-( -ome% in an& te$$% !er t!at t!e E)e% are rea$$) Ma)&a) member%

w!o !ave -ome to %ave !er O''re& $eave% wit! t!em, over t!e Comman&er4% '#ti$e obe-tion%, on

!er wa) eit!er to "ri%on or to 'ree&om:%!e &oe% not (now w!i-!

T!e nove$ -$o%e% wit! an e"i$o+#e 'rom =19, a'ter Gi$ea& !a% 'a$$en, written in t!e 'orm o' a

$e-t#re +iven b) <ro'e%%or <ieixoto   .e ex"$ain% t!e 'ormation an& -#%tom% o' Gi$ea& in

obe-tive, ana$)ti-a$ $an+#a+e .e &i%-#%%e% t!e %i+ni'i-an-e o' O''re&4% %tor), w!i-! !a% t#rne&

#" on -a%%ette ta"e% in Ban+or, Maine .e %#++e%t% t!at Ni-( arran+e& O''re&4% e%-a"e b#t t!at

!er 'ate a'ter t!at i% #n(nown S!e -o#$& !ave e%-a"e& to Cana&a or En+$an&, or %!e -o#$& !ave

 been re-a"t#re&

Offred / T!e narrator an& "rota+oni%t o' The Handmaid’s Tale. O''re& be$on+% to t!e -$a%% o' 

.an&mai&%, 'erti$e women 'or-e& to bear -!i$&ren 'or e$ite, barren -o#"$e% .an&mai&% %!ow

w!i-! Comman&er own% t!em b) a&o"tin+ t!eir Comman&er%4 name%, %#-! a% re&, an&

 "re-e&in+ t!em wit! 2O' O''re& remember% !er rea$ name b#t never revea$% it S!e no $on+er 

!a% 'ami$) or 'rien&%, t!o#+! %!e !a% '$a%!ba-(% to a time in w!i-! %!e !a& a &a#+!ter an& a

!#%ban& name& >#(e T!e -r#e$ "!)%i-a$ an& "%)-!o$o+i-a$ b#r&en% o' !er &ai$) $i'e in Gi$ea&

torment !er an& "erva&e !er narrative

The Commander / T!e Comman&er i% t!e !ea& o' t!e !o#%e!o$& w!ere O''re& wor(% a% a

.an&mai& .e initiate% an #nort!o&ox re$ation%!i" wit! O''re&, %e-ret$) "$a)in+ S-rabb$e wit!

!er in !i% %t#&) at ni+!t .e o'ten %eem% a &e-ent, we$$/meanin+ man, an& O''re& %ometime% 'in&%

t!at %!e $i(e% !im in %"ite o' !er%e$' .e a$mo%t %eem% a vi-tim o' Gi$ea&, ma(in+ t!e be%t o' a

%o-iet) !e o""o%e% .owever, we $earn 'rom vario#% -$#e% an& 'rom t!e e"i$o+#e t!at t!e

Comman&er wa% a-t#a$$) invo$ve& in &e%i+nin+ an& e%tab$i%!in+ Gi$ea&

T!e Comman&er ?7n/De"t! Ana$)%i%@

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Serena Joy / T!e Comman&er4% Wi'e, Serena wor(e& in "re/Gi$ea& &a)% a% a +o%"e$ %in+er, t!en

a% an anti/'emini%t a-tivi%t an& -r#%a&er 'or 2tra&itiona$ va$#e% 7n Gi$ea&, %!e %it% at t!e to" o' 

t!e 'ema$e %o-ia$ $a&&er, )et %!e i% &e%"erate$) #n!a"") Serena4% #n!a""ine%% %!ow% t!at !er 

re%tri-tive, ma$e/&ominate& %o-iet) -annot brin+ !a""ine%% even to it% mo%t "am"ere& an&

 "ower'#$ women Serena ea$o#%$) +#ar&% !er -$aim% to %tat#% an& be!ave% -r#e$$) towar& t!e

.an&mai&% in !er !o#%e!o$&

Serena ;o) ?7n/De"t! Ana$)%i%@

Moira / O''re&4% be%t 'rien& 'rom -o$$e+e, Moira i% a $e%bian an& a %ta#n-! 'emini%tF %!e embo&ie%

'ema$e re%o#r-e'#$ne%% an& in&e"en&en-e .er &e'iant nat#re -ontra%t% %tar($) wit! t!e be!avior o' t!e

ot!er women in t!e nove$ Rat!er t!an "a%%ive$) a--e"t !er 'ate a% a .an&mai&, %!e ma(e% %evera$

e%-a"e attem"t% an& 'ina$$) mana+e% to +et awa) 'rom t!e Re& Center .owever, %!e i% -a#+!t be'ore

%!e -an +et o#t o' Gi$ea& >ater, O''re& en-o#nter% Moira wor(in+ a% a "ro%tit#te in a -$#b 'or t!e

Comman&er% At t!e -$#b, Moira %eem% re%i+ne& to !er 'ate, w!i-! %#++e%t% t!at a tota$itarian %o-iet)

-an +rin& &own an& -r#%! even t!e mo%t re%o#r-e'#$ an& in&e"en&ent "eo"$e

Moira ?7n/De"t! Ana$)%i%@

Aunt Lydia / T!e A#nt% are t!e -$a%% o' women a%%i+ne& to in&o-trinate t!e .an&mai&% wit! t!e

 be$ie'% o' t!e new %o-iet) an& ma(e t!em a--e"t t!eir 'ate% A#nt >)&ia wor(% at t!e 2Re&

Center, t!e re/e&#-ation -enter w!ere O''re& an& ot!er women +o 'or in%tr#-tion be'ore

 be-omin+ .an&mai&% A$t!o#+! %!e a""ear% on$) in O''re&4% '$a%!ba-(%, A#nt >)&ia an& !er 

in%tr#-tion% !a#nt O''re& in !er &ai$) $i'e A#nt >)&ia4% %$o+an% an& maxim% &r#m t!e i&eo$o+) o' 

t!e new %o-iet) into !ea&% o' t!e women, #nti$ even t!o%e $i(e O''re&, women w!o &o not tr#$)

 be$ieve in t!e i&eo$o+), !ear Gi$ea&4% wor&% e-!oin+ in t!eir !ea&%

Nick  / Ni-( i% a G#ar&ian, a $ow/$eve$ o''i-er o' Gi$ea& a%%i+ne& to t!e Comman&er4% !ome, w!ere

!e wor(% a% a +ar&ener an& -!a#''e#r .e an& O''re& !ave a %ex#a$ -!emi%tr) t!at t!e) +et to %ati%')

w!en Serena ;o) or-!e%trate% an en-o#nter between t!em in an e''ort to +et O''re& "re+nant A'ter 

%$ee"in+ to+et!er on-e, t!e) be+in a -overt %ex#a$ a''air Ni-( i% not #%t a G#ar&ianF !e ma) wor( 

eit!er a% a member o' t!e E)e%, Gi$ea&4% %e-ret "o$i-e, or a% a member o' t!e #n&er+ro#n& Ma)&a)

re%i%tan-e, or bot! At t!e en& o' t!e nove$, Ni-( or-!e%trate% O''re&4% e%-a"e 'rom t!e Comman&er4%

!ome, b#t we &o not (now w!et!er !e "#t% !er into t!e !an&% o' t!e E)e% or t!e re%i%tan-e

Ofglen / Anot!er .an&mai& w!o i% O''re&4% %!o""in+ "artner an& a member o' t!e %#bver%ive

2Ma)&a) #n&er+ro#n& At t!e en& o' t!e nove$, O'+$en i% 'o#n& o#t, an& %!e !an+% !er%e$' rat!er 

t!an 'a-e tort#re an& revea$ t!e name% o' !er -o/-on%"irator%

Cora / Cora wor(% a% a %ervant in t!e Comman&er4% !o#%e!o$& S!e be$on+% to t!e -$a%% o' 

Mart!a%, in'erti$e women w!o &o not 0#a$i') 'or t!e !i+! %tat#% o' Wive% an& %o wor( in

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&ome%ti- ro$e% Cora %eem% more -ontent wit! !er ro$e t!an !er 'e$$ow Mart!a, Rita S!e !o"e%

t!at O''re& wi$$ be ab$e to -on-eive, be-a#%e t!en %!e wi$$ !ave a !an& in rai%in+ a -!i$&

Janine / O''re& (now% ;anine 'rom t!eir time at t!e Re& Center A'ter ;anine be-ome% a

.an&mai&, %!e ta(e% t!e name O'warren S!e !a% a bab), w!i-! ma(e% !er t!e env) o' a$$ t!e

ot!er .an&mai&% in t!e area, b#t t!e bab) $ater t#rn% o#t to be &e'orme&:an 2nbab):an&

t!ere are r#mor% t!at !er &o-tor 'at!ere& t!e -!i$& ;anine i% a -on'ormi%t, a$wa)% rea&) to +o

a$on+ wit! w!at Gi$ea& &eman&% o' !er, an& %o %!e en&ear% !er%e$' to t!e A#nt% an& to a$$

a#t!orit) 'i+#re% O''re& !o$&% ;anine in -ontem"t 'or ta(in+ t!e ea%) wa) o#t

Luke / 7n t!e &a)% be'ore Gi$ea&, >#(e !a& an a''air wit! O''re& w!i$e !e wa% marrie& to

anot!er woman, t!en +ot a &ivor-e an& be-ame O''re&4% !#%ban& W!en Gi$ea& -ome% to "ower,

!e attem"t% to e%-a"e to Cana&a wit! O''re& an& t!eir &a#+!ter, b#t t!e) are -a"t#re& .e i%

%e"arate& 'rom O''re&, an& t!e -o#"$e never %ee one anot!er a+ain T!e (in& o' $ove t!e) %!are&

i% "ro!ibite& in Gi$ea&, an& O''re&4% memorie% o' >#(e -ontra%t wit! t!e re+imente&, "a%%ion$e%%

%tate o' ma$e/'ema$e re$ation% in t!e new %o-iet)

Offred’s mother / O''re& remember% !er mot!er in '$a%!ba-(% to !er "re/Gi$ea& wor$&:%!e

wa% a %in+$e "arent an& a 'emini%t a-tivi%t One &a) &#rin+ !er e&#-ation at t!e Re& Center,

O''re& %ee% a vi&eo o' !er mot!er a% a )o#n+ woman, )e$$in+ an& -arr)in+ a banner in an anti/

ra"e mar-! -a$$e& Ta(e Ba-( t!e Ni+!t S!e embo&ie% ever)t!in+ t!e ar-!ite-t% o' Gi$ea& want to

%tam" o#t

Aunt Elizaeth / A#nt E$i5abet! i% one o' t!e A#nt% at t!e Re& Center Moira atta-(% !er an&

%tea$% !er A#nt4% #ni'orm &#rin+ !er e%-a"e 'rom t!e Re& Center

!ita / A Mart!a, or &ome%ti- %ervant, in t!e Comman&er4% !o#%e!o$& S!e %eem% $e%% -ontent

wit! !er $ot t!an Cora, t!e ot!er Mart!a wor(in+ t!ere

"rofessor "iei#oto / T!e +#e%t %"ea(er at t!e %)m"o%i#m t!at ta(e% "$a-e in t!e e"i$o+#e to The

 Handmaid’s Tale. .e an& anot!er a-a&emi-, wor(in+ at a #niver%it) in t!e )ear =19, tran%-ribe&

O''re&4% re-or&e& narrativeF !i% $e-t#re &etai$% t!e !i%tori-a$ %i+ni'i-an-e o' t!e %tor) t!at we !ave

 #%t rea&

Ana$)%i% o' Maor C!ara-ter%

Offred

O''re& i% t!e narrator an& t!e "rota+oni%t o' t!e nove$, an& we are to$& t!e entire %tor) 'rom !er 

 "oint o' view, ex"erien-in+ event% an& memorie% a% vivi&$) a% %!e &oe% S!e te$$% t!e %tor) a% it

!a""en%, an& %!ow% #% t!e trave$% o' !er min& t!ro#+! a%i&e%, '$a%!ba-(%, an& &i+re%%ion% O''re&

i% inte$$i+ent, "er-e"tive, an& (in& S!e "o%%e%%e% eno#+! 'a#$t% to ma(e !er !#man, b#t not %o

man) t!at %!e be-ome% an #n%)m"at!eti- 'i+#re S!e a$%o "o%%e%%e% a &ar( %en%e o' !#mor:a

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+rave)ar& wit t!at ma(e% !er &e%-ri"tion% o' t!e b$ea( !orror% o' Gi$ea& bearab$e, even eno)ab$e

>i(e mo%t o' t!e women in Gi$ea&, %!e i% an or&inar) woman "$a-e& in an extraor&inar) %it#ation

O''re& i% not a !ero A$t!o#+! %!e re%i%t% Gi$ea& inwar&$), on-e !er attem"t at e%-a"e 'ai$%, %!e

%#bmit% o#twar&$) S!e i% !ar&$) a 'emini%t -!am"ionF %!e !a& a$wa)% 'e$t #n-om'ortab$e wit!

!er mot!er4% a-tivi%m, an& !er "re/Gi$ea& re$ation%!i" wit! >#(e be+an w!en %!e be-ame !i%

mi%tre%%, meetin+ !im in -!ea" !ote$% 'or %ex A$t!o#+! 'rien&% wit! O'+$en, a member o' t!e

re%i%tan-e, %!e i% never bo$& eno#+! to oin #" !er%e$' 7n&ee&, a'ter %!e be+in% !er a''air wit!

 Ni-(, %!e %eem% to $o%e %i+!t o' e%-a"e entire$) an& %#&&en$) 'ee$% t!at $i'e in Gi$ea& i% a$mo%t

 bearab$e 7' %!e &oe% 'ina$$) e%-a"e, it i% be-a#%e o' Ni-(, not be-a#%e o' an)t!in+ %!e &oe%

/!er%e$' O''re& i% a mo%t$) "a%%ive -!ara-ter, +oo&/!earte& b#t -om"$a-ent >i(e !er "eer%, %!e

too( 'or +rante& t!e 'ree&om% 'emini%m won an& now "a)% t!e "ri-e

The Commander

T!e  Comman&er  "o%e% an et!i-a$ "rob$em 'or O''re&, an& -on%e0#ent$) 'or #% ir%t, !e i%

O''re&4% Comman&er an& t!e imme&iate a+ent o' !er o""re%%ion A% a 'o#n&er o' Gi$ea&, !e a$%o

 bear% re%"on%ibi$it) 'or t!e entire tota$itarian %o-iet) 7n "er%on, !e i% 'ar more %)m"at!eti- an&

'rien&$) towar& O''re& t!an mo%t ot!er "eo"$e, an& O''re&4% evenin+% wit! t!e Comman&er in !i%

%t#&) o''er !er a %ma$$ re%"ite 'rom t!e wa%te$an& o' !er $i'e At time%, !i% #n!a""ine%% an& nee&

'or -om"anion%!i" ma(e !im %eem a% m#-! a "ri%oner o' Gi$ea&4% %tri-t#re% a% an)one e$%e

O''re& 'in&% !er%e$' 'ee$in+ %)m"at!) 'or t!i% man

$timate$), O''re& an& t!e rea&er re-o+ni5e t!at i' t!e Comman&er i% a "ri%oner, t!e "ri%on i% one

t!at !e !im%e$' !e$"e& -on%tr#-t an& t!at !i% "ri%on i% !eaven -om"are& to t!e "ri%on !e -reate&

'or women A% t!e nove$ "ro+re%%e%, we -ome to rea$i5e t!at !i% vi%it% wit! O''re& are %e$'i%!

rat!er t!an -!aritab$e T!e) %ati%') !i% nee& 'or -om"anion%!i", b#t !e &oe%n4t %eem to -are t!at

t!e) "#t O''re& at terrib$e ri%(, a 'a-t o' w!i-! !e m#%t be aware, +iven t!at t!e "revio#%

.an&mai& !an+e& !er%e$' w!en !er vi%it% to t!e Comman&er were &i%-overe& T!e Comman&er4%

mora$ b$in&ne%%, a""arent in !i% attem"t% to ex"$ain t!e virt#e% o' Gi$ea&, are !i+!$i+!te& b) !i%

an& O''re&4% vi%it to ;e5ebe$4% T!e -$#b, a "$a-e w!ere t!e e$ite men o' t!e %o-iet) -an en+a+e in

re-reationa$ extramarita$ %ex, revea$% t!e ran( !)"o-ri%) t!at r#n% t!ro#+! Gi$ea&ean %o-iet)

O''re&4% re$ation%!i" wit! t!e Comman&er i% be%t re"re%ente& b) a %it#ation %!e remember% 'rom

a &o-#mentar) on t!e .o$o-a#%t 7n t!e 'i$m, t!e mi%tre%% o' a br#ta$ &eat! -am" +#ar& &e'en&e&

t!e man %!e $ove&, -$aimin+ t!at !e wa% not a mon%ter 2.ow ea%) it i% to invent a !#manit),

O''re& t!in(% 7n ot!er wor&%, an)one -an %eem !#man, an& even $i(ab$e, +iven t!e ri+!t %et o' 

-ir-#m%tan-e% B#t even i' t!e Comman&er i% $i(ab$e an& -an be (in& or -on%i&erate, !i%

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re%"on%ibi$it) 'or t!e -reation o' Gi$ea& an& !i% -a$$o#%ne%% to t!e !e$$ !e -reate& 'or women

mean% t!at !e, $i(e t!e Na5i +#ar&, i% a mon%ter

Serena Joy

T!o#+! Serena !a& been an a&vo-ate 'or tra&itiona$ va$#e% an& t!e e%tab$i%!ment o' t!e Gi$ea&ean

%tate, !er bitterne%% at t!e o#t-ome:bein+ -on'ine& to t!e !ome an& !avin+ to %ee !er !#%ban&

-o"#$atin+ wit! a .an&mai&:%#++e%t% t!at %"o(e%women 'or anti/'emini%t -a#%e% mi+!t not

eno) +ettin+ t!eir wa) a% m#-! a% t!e) be$ieve t!e) wo#$& Serena4% obvio#% #n!a""ine%% mean%

t!at %!e teeter% on t!e e&+e o' in%"irin+ o#r %)m"at!), b#t %!e 'or'eit% t!at %)m"at!) b) ta(in+

o#t !er 'r#%tration on O''re& S!e %eem% to "o%%e%% no -om"a%%ion 'or O''re& S!e -an %ee t!e

&i''i-#$t) o' !er own $i'e, b#t not t!at o' anot!er woman

T!e -$ima-ti- moment in Serena4% intera-tion wit! O''re& -ome% w!en %!e arran+e% 'or O''re& to

%$ee" wit! Ni-( 7t %eem% t!at Serena ma(e% t!e%e "$an% o#t o' a &e%ire to !e$" O''re& +et

 "re+nant, b#t Serena +et% an e0#a$ rewar& 'rom O''re&4% "re+nan-) %!e +et% to rai%e t!e bab)

#rt!ermore, Serena4% o''er to %!ow O''re& a "i-t#re o' !er $o%t &a#+!ter i' %!e %$ee"% wit! Ni-( 

revea$% t!at Serena !a% a$wa)% (nown o' O''re&4% &a#+!ter4% w!ereabo#t% Not on$) !a% %!e

-r#e$$) -on-ea$e& t!i% (now$e&+e, %!e i% wi$$in+ to ex"$oit O''re&4% $o%% o' a -!i$& in or&er to +et

an in'ant o' !er own Serena4% $a-( o' %)m"at!) ma(e% !er t!e "er'e-t too$ 'or Gi$ea&4% %o-ia$

or&er, w!i-! re$ie% on t!e wi$$in+ne%% o' women to o""re%% ot!er women S!e i% a -r#e$, %e$'i%!

woman, an& Atwoo& im"$ie% t!at %#-! women are t!e +$#e t!at bin&% Gi$ea&

Moira

T!ro#+!o#t t!e nove$, Moira4% re$ation%!i" wit! O''re& e"itomi5e% 'ema$e 'rien&%!i" Gi$ea& -$aim% to

 "romote %o$i&arit) between women, b#t in 'a-t it on$) "ro&#-e% %#%"i-ion, !o%ti$it), an& "ett) t)rann)

T!e (in& o' re$ation%!i" t!at Moira an& O''re& maintain 'rom -o$$e+e onwar& &oe% not exi%t in Gi$ea&

7n O''re&4% '$a%!ba-(%, Moira a$%o embo&ie% 'ema$e re%i%tan-e to Gi$ea& S!e i% a $e%bian, w!i-!

mean% t!at %!e ree-t% ma$e/'ema$e %ex#a$ intera-tion%, t!e on$) (in& t!at Gi$ea& va$#e% More

t!an t!at, %!e i% t!e on$) -!ara-ter w!o %tan&% #" to a#t!orit) &ire-t$) b) ma(e two e%-a"e

attem"t%, one %#--e%%'#$, 'rom t!e Re& Center T!e manner in w!i-! %!e e%-a"e%:ta(in+ o'' !er 

-$ot!e% an& "#ttin+ on t!e #ni'orm o' an A#nt:%)mbo$i5e% !er ree-tion o' Gi$ea&4% attem"t to

&e'ine !er i&entit) rom t!en on, #nti$ O''re& meet% #" wit! !er a+ain, Moira re"re%ent% an

a$ternative to t!e mee( %#b%ervien-e an& a--e"tan-e o' one4% 'ate t!at mo%t o' t!e .an&mai&%

a&o"t W!en O''re& r#n% into Moira, Moira !a% been re-a"t#re& an& i% wor(in+ a% a "ro%tit#te at

;e5ebe$4%, %ervi-in+ t!e Comman&er% .er 'i+!tin+ %"irit %eem% bro(en, an& %!e !a% be-ome

re%i+ne& to !er 'ate A'ter embo&)in+ re%i%tan-e 'or mo%t o' t!e nove$, Moira -ome% to exem"$i')

t!e wa) a tota$itarian %tate -an -r#%! even t!e mo%t in&e"en&ent %"irit

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T!eme%, Moti'% H S)mbo$%

Themes

Themes are !he "ndamen!al and o"!en niversal ideas e#$lored in a li!erar% wor&.

$omen’s %odies as "olitical &nstruments

Be-a#%e Gi$ea& wa% 'orme& in re%"on%e to t!e -ri%i% -a#%e& b) &ramati-a$$) &e-rea%e& birt!rate%,

t!e %tate4% entire %tr#-t#re, wit! it% re$i+io#% tra""in+% an& ri+i& "o$iti-a$ !ierar-!), i% b#i$t aro#n&

a %in+$e +oa$ -ontro$ o' re"ro&#-tion T!e %tate ta-($e% t!e "rob$em !ea&/on b) a%%#min+

-om"$ete -ontro$ o' women4% bo&ie% t!ro#+! t!eir "o$iti-a$ %#b#+ation Women -annot vote, !o$&

 "ro"ert) or ob%, rea&, or &o an)t!in+ e$%e t!at mi+!t a$$ow t!em to be-ome %#bver%ive or 

in&e"en&ent an& t!ereb) #n&ermine t!eir !#%ban&% or t!e %tate

De%"ite a$$ o' Gi$ea&4% "ro/women r!etori-, %#-! %#b#+ation -reate% a %o-iet) in w!i-! women

are treate& a% %#b!#man T!e) are re&#-e& to t!eir 'erti$it), treate& a% not!in+ more t!an a %et o' 

ovarie% an& a womb 7n one o' t!e nove$4% (e) %-ene%, O''re& $ie% in t!e bat! an& re'$e-t% t!at,

 be'ore Gi$ea&, %!e -on%i&ere& !er bo&) an in%tr#ment o' !er &e%ire%F now, %!e i% #%t a mo#n& o' 

'$e%! %#rro#n&in+ a womb t!at m#%t be 'i$$e& in or&er to ma(e !er #%e'#$ Gi$ea& %ee(% to &e"rive

women o' t!eir in&ivi&#a$it) in or&er to ma(e t!em &o-i$e -arrier% o' t!e next +eneration

Language as a Tool of "o'er

Gi$ea& -reate% an o''i-ia$ vo-ab#$ar) t!at i+nore% an& war"% rea$it) in or&er to %erve t!e nee&% o' 

t!e new %o-iet)4% e$ite .avin+ ma&e it i$$e+a$ 'or women to !o$& ob%, Gi$ea& -reate% a %)%tem o' 

tit$e% W!erea% men are &e'ine& b) t!eir mi$itar) ran(, women are &e'ine& %o$e$) b) t!eir +en&er 

ro$e% a% Wive%, .an&mai&%, or Mart!a% Stri""in+ t!em o' "ermanent in&ivi&#a$ name% %tri"%

t!em o' t!eir in&ivi&#a$it), or trie% to emini%t% an& &e'orme& babie% are treate& a% %#b!#man,

&enote& b) t!e term% 2nwomen an& 2nbabie% B$a-(% an& ;ew% are &e'ine& b) bib$i-a$ term%

?2C!i$&ren o' .am an& 2Son% o' ;a-ob, re%"e-tive$)@ t!at %et t!em a"art 'rom t!e re%t o' 

%o-iet), ma(in+ t!eir "er%e-#tion ea%ier T!ere are "re%-ribe& +reetin+% 'or "er%ona$ en-o#nter%,

an& to 'ai$ to o''er t!e -orre-t +reetin+% i% to 'a$$ #n&er %#%"i-ion o' &i%$o)a$t) S"e-ia$$) -reate&

term% &e'ine t!e rit#a$% o' Gi$ea&, %#-! a% 2<ra)va+an5a%, 2Sa$va+in+%, an& 2<arti-i-#tion%

D)%to"ian nove$% abo#t t!e &an+er% o' tota$itarian %o-iet) 're0#ent$) ex"$ore t!e -onne-tion

 between a %tate4% re"re%%ion o' it% %#be-t% an& it% "erver%ion o' $an+#a+e ?2New%"ea( in Geor+e

Orwe$$4% 1984 i% t!e mo%t 'amo#% exam"$e@, an& The Handmaid’s Tale -arrie% on t!i% tra&ition

Gi$ea& maintain% it% -ontro$ over women4% bo&ie% b) maintainin+ -ontro$ over name%

The Causes of Com(lacency

7n a tota$itarian %tate, Atwoo& %#++e%t%, "eo"$e wi$$ en&#re o""re%%ion wi$$in+$) a% $on+ a% t!e)

re-eive %ome %$i+!t amo#nt o' "ower or 'ree&om O''re& remember% !er mot!er %a)in+ t!at it i%

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2tr#$) ama5in+, w!at "eo"$e -an +et #%e& to, a% $on+ a% t!ere are a 'ew -om"en%ation% O''re&4%

-om"$a-en-) a'ter %!e be+in% !er re$ation%!i" wit! Ni-( %!ow% t!e tr#t! o' t!i% in%i+!t .er 

%it#ation re%tri-t% !er !orrib$) -om"are& to t!e 'ree&om !er 'ormer $i'e a$$owe&, b#t !er 

re$ation%!i" wit! Ni-( a$$ow% !er to re-$aim t!e tinie%t 'ra+ment o' !er 'ormer exi%ten-e T!e

 "!)%i-a$ a''e-tion an& -om"anion%!i" be-ome -om"en%ation t!at ma(e t!e re%tri-tion% a$mo%t

 bearab$e O''re& %eem% %#&&en$) %o -ontent t!at %!e &oe% not %a) )e% w!en O'+$en a%(% !er to

+at!er in'ormation abo#t t!e Comman&er

Women in +enera$ %#""ort Gi$ea&4% exi%ten-e b) wi$$in+$) "arti-i"atin+ in it, %ervin+ a% a+ent% o' 

t!e tota$itarian %tate W!i$e a woman $i(e Serena ;o) !a% no "ower in t!e wor$& o' men, %!e

exer-i%e% a#t!orit) wit!in !er own !o#%e!o$& an& %eem% to &e$i+!t in !er t)rann) over O''re&

S!e ea$o#%$) +#ar&% w!at $itt$e "ower %!e !a% an& wie$&% it ea+er$) 7n a %imi$ar wa), t!e women

(nown a% A#nt%, e%"e-ia$$) A#nt >)&ia, a-t a% wi$$in+ a+ent% o' t!e Gi$ea&ean %tate T!e)

in&o-trinate ot!er women into t!e r#$in+ i&eo$o+), (ee" a -$o%e e)e o#t 'or rebe$$ion, an&

+enera$$) %erve t!e %ame '#n-tion 'or Gi$ea& t!at t!e ;ewi%! "o$i-e &i& #n&er Na5i r#$e

Atwoo&4% me%%a+e i% b$ea( At t!e %ame time a% %!e -on&emn% O''re&, Serena ;o), t!e A#nt%, an&

even Moira 'or t!eir -om"$a-en-), %!e %#++e%t% t!at even i' t!o%e women m#%tere& %tren+t! an&

%to""e& -om"$)in+, t!e) wo#$& $i(e$) 'ai$ to ma(e a &i''eren-e 7n Gi$ea& t!e tin) rebe$$ion% o' 

re%i%tan-e% &o not ne-e%%ari$) matter 7n t!e en&, O''re& e%-a"e% be-a#%e o' $#-( rat!er t!an

re%i%tan-e

Motifs

 'o!i"s are re(rring s!r(!res, (on!ras!s, or li!erar% devi(es !ha! (an hel$ !o develo$ and in"orm

!he !e#!’s ma)or !hemes.

!a(e and Se#ual )iolence

Sex#a$ vio$en-e, "arti-#$ar$) a+ain%t women, "erva&e% The Handmaid’s Tale. T!e "reva$en-e o' ra"e

an& "orno+ra"!) in t!e "re/Gi$ea& wor$& #%ti'ie& to t!e 'o#n&er% t!eir e%tab$i%!ment o' t!e new or&er

T!e Comman&er an& t!e A#nt% -$aim t!at women are better "rote-te& in Gi$ea&, t!at t!e) are treate&

wit! re%"e-t an& (e"t %a'e 'rom vio$en-e Certain$), t!e o''i-ia$ "ena$t) 'or ra"e i% terrib$e in one

%-ene, t!e .an&mai&% tear a"art wit! t!eir bare !an&% a %#""o%e& ra"i%t ?a-t#a$$) a member o' t!e

re%i%tan-e@ et, w!i$e Gi$ea& -$aim% to %#""re%% %ex#a$ vio$en-e, it a-t#a$$) in%tit#tiona$i5e% it, a% we

%ee at ;e5ebe$4%, t!e -$#b t!at "rovi&e% t!e Comman&er% wit! a rea&) %tab$e o' "ro%tit#te% to %ervi-e

t!e ma$e e$ite Mo%t im"ortant, %ex#a$ vio$en-e i% a""arent in t!e -entra$ in%tit#tion o' t!e nove$, t!e

Ceremon), w!i-! -om"e$% .an&mai&% to !ave %ex wit! t!eir Comman&er%

!eligious Terms *sed for "olitical "ur(oses

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Gi$ea& i% a t!eo-ra-):a +overnment in w!i-! t!ere i% no %e"aration between %tate an& re$i+ion: 

an& it% o''i-ia$ vo-ab#$ar) in-or"orate% re$i+io#% termino$o+) an& bib$i-a$ re'eren-e% Dome%ti-

%ervant% are -a$$e& 2Mart!a% in re'eren-e to a &ome%ti- -!ara-ter in t!e New Te%tamentF t!e $o-a$

 "o$i-e are 2G#ar&ian% o' t!e ait!F %o$&ier% are 2An+e$%F an& t!e Comman&er% are o''i-ia$$)

2Comman&er% o' t!e ait!'#$ A$$ t!e %tore% !ave bib$i-a$ name% >oave% an& i%!e%, A$$ $e%!,

Mi$( an& .one) Even t!e a#tomobi$e% !ave bib$i-a$ name% $i(e Be!emot!, W!ir$win&, an&

C!ariot %in+ re$i+io#% termino$o+) to &e%-ribe "eo"$e, ran(%, an& b#%ine%%e% w!itewa%!e%

 "o$iti-a$ %(#$$&#++er) in "io#% $an+#a+e 7t "rovi&e% an ever/"re%ent remin&er t!at t!e 'o#n&er% o' 

Gi$ea& in%i%t t!e) a-t on t!e a#t!orit) o' t!e Bib$e it%e$' <o$iti-% an& re$i+ion %$ee" in t!e %ame

 be& in Gi$ea&, w!ere t!e %$o+an 2Go& i% a Nationa$ Re%o#r-e "re&ominate%

Similarities et'een !eactionary and +eminist &deologies

A$t!o#+! The Handmaid’s Tale o''er% a %"e-i'i-a$$) 'emini%t -riti0#e o' t!e rea-tionar) attit#&e%

towar& women t!at !o$& %wa) in Gi$ea&, Atwoo& o--a%iona$$) &raw% %imi$aritie% between t!e

ar-!ite-t% o' Gi$ea& an& ra&i-a$ 'emini%t% %#-! a% O''re&4% mot!er Bot! +ro#"% -$aim to "rote-t

women 'rom %ex#a$ vio$en-e, an& bot! %!ow t!em%e$ve% wi$$in+ to re%tri-t 'ree %"ee-! in or&er to

a--om"$i%! t!i% +oa$ O''re& re-a$$% a %-ene in w!i-! !er mot!er an& ot!er 'emini%t% b#rn "orn

ma+a5ine% >i(e t!e 'o#n&er% o' Gi$ea&, t!e%e 'emini%t% ban %ome ex"re%%ion% o' %ex#a$it) Gi$ea&

a$%o #%e% t!e 'emini%t r!etori- o' 'ema$e %o$i&arit) an& 2%i%ter!oo& to it% own a&vanta+e T!e%e

 "oint% o' %imi$arit) im"$) t!e exi%ten-e o' a &ar( %i&e o' 'emini%t r!etori- De%"ite Atwoo&4%

+ent$e -riti-i%m o' t!e 'emini%t $e't, !er rea$ tar+et i% t!e re$i+io#% ri+!t

Symols

*%mbols are ob)e(!s, (hara(!ers, "igres, or (olors sed !o re$resen! abs!ra(! ideas or (on(e$!s.

Camridge, Massachusetts

T!e -enter o' Gi$ea&4% "ower, w!ere O''re& $ive%, i% never ex"$i-it$) i&enti'ie&, b#t a n#mber o' 

-$#e% mar( it a% t!e town o' Cambri&+e Cambri&+e, it% nei+!borin+ -it) o' Bo%ton, an&

Ma%%a-!#%ett% a% a w!o$e were -enter% 'or Ameri-a4% 'ir%t re$i+io#% an& into$erant %o-iet):t!e

<#ritan New En+$an& o' t!e %eventeent! -ent#r) Atwoo& remin&% #% o' t!i% !i%tor) wit! t!e

an-ient <#ritan -!#r-! t!at O''re& an& O'+$en vi%it ear$) in t!e nove$, w!i-! Gi$ea& !a% t#rne&

into a m#%e#m T!e -!oi-e o' Cambri&+e a% a %ettin+ %)mbo$i5e% t!e &ire-t $in( between t!e

<#ritan% an& t!eir %"irit#a$ !eir% in Gi$ea& Bot! +ro#"% &ea$t !ar%!$) wit! re$i+io#%, %ex#a$, or 

 "o$iti-a$ &eviation

-ar.ard *ni.ersity

Gi$ea& !a% tran%'orme& .arvar&4% b#i$&in+% into a &etention -enter r#n b) t!e E)e%, Gi$ea&4%

%e-ret "o$i-e Bo&ie% o' exe-#te& &i%%i&ent% !an+ 'rom t!e Wa$$ t!at r#n% aro#n& t!e -o$$e+e, an&

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Sa$va+in+% ?ma%% exe-#tion%@ ta(e "$a-e in .arvar& ar&, on t!e %te"% o' t!e $ibrar) .arvar&

 be-ome% a %)mbo$ o' t!e inverte& wor$& t!at Gi$ea& !a% -reate& a "$a-e t!at wa% 'o#n&e& to

 "#r%#e (now$e&+e an& tr#t! be-ome% a %eat o' o""re%%ion, tort#re, an& t!e &enia$ o' ever)

 "rin-i"$e 'or w!i-! a #niver%it) i% %#""o%e& to %tan&

The -andmaids’ !ed -aits

T!e re& -o$or o' t!e -o%t#me% worn b) t!e .an&mai&% %)mbo$i5e% 'erti$it), w!i-! i% t!e -a%te4%

 "rimar) '#n-tion Re& %#++e%t% t!e b$oo& o' t!e men%tr#a$ -)-$e an& o' -!i$&birt! At t!e %ame

time, !owever, re& i% a$%o a tra&itiona$ mar(er o' %ex#a$ %in, !ear(enin+ ba-( to t!e %-ar$et $etter 

worn b) t!e a&#$tero#% .e%ter <r)nne in Nat!anie$ .awt!orne4% ta$e o' <#ritan i&eo$o+) W!i$e

t!e .an&mai&%4 re"ro&#-tive ro$e %#""o%e&$) 'in&% it% #%ti'i-ation in t!e Bib$e, in %ome %en%e

t!e) -ommit a&#$ter) b) !avin+ %ex wit! t!eir Comman&er%, w!o are marrie& men T!e wive%,

w!o o'ten -a$$ t!e .an&mai&% %$#t%, 'ee$ t!e "ain o' t!i% %an-tione& a&#$ter) T!e .an&mai&%4 re&

+arment%, t!en, a$%o %)mbo$i5e t!e ambi+#o#% %in'#$ne%% o' t!e .an&mai&%4 "o%ition in Gi$ea&

A "alim(sest

A "a$im"%e%t i% a &o-#ment on w!i-! o$& writin+ !a% been %-rat-!e& o#t, o'ten $eavin+ tra-e%, an&

new writin+ "#t in it% "$a-eF it -an a$%o be a &o-#ment -on%i%tin+ o' man) $a)er% o' writin+

%im"$) "i$e& one on to" o' anot!er O''re& &e%-ribe% t!e Re& Center a% a "a$im"%e%t, b#t t!e wor&

a-t#a$$) %)mbo$i5e% a$$ o' Gi$ea& T!e o$& wor$& !a% been era%e& an& re"$a-e&, b#t on$) "artia$$),

 b) a new or&er Remnant% o' t!e "re/Gi$ea& &a)% -ontin#e to in'#%e t!e new wor$&

The Eyes

T!e E)e% o' Go& are Gi$ea&4% %e-ret "o$i-e Bot! t!eir name an& t!eir in%i+nia, a win+e& e)e,

%)mbo$i5e t!e eterna$ wat-!'#$ne%% o' Go& an& t!e tota$itarian %tate 7n Gi$ea&4% t!eo-ra-), t!e e)e

o' Go& an& o' t!e %tate are a%%#me& to be one an& t!e %ame

C!a"ter% 1I

Summary/ Cha(ter 0

T!e narrator, w!o%e name we $earn $ater i% O''re&, &e%-ribe% !ow %!e an& ot!er women %$e"t on

arm) -ot% in a +)mna%i#m A#nt Sara an& A#nt E$i5abet! "atro$ wit! e$e-tri- -att$e "ro&% !an+in+

'rom t!eir $eat!er be$t%, an& t!e women, 'orbi&&en to %"ea( a$o#&, w!i%"er wit!o#t attra-tin+

attention Twi-e &ai$), t!e women wa$( in t!e 'ormer 'ootba$$ 'ie$&, w!i-! i% %#rro#n&e& b) a

-!ain/$in( 'en-e to""e& wit! barbe& wire Arme& +#ar&% -a$$e& An+e$% "atro$ o#t%i&e W!i$e t!e

women ta(e t!eir wa$(%, t!e An+e$% %tan& o#t%i&e t!e 'en-e wit! t!eir ba-(% to t!e women T!e

women $on+ 'or t!e An+e$% to t#rn an& %ee t!em T!e) ima+ine t!at i' t!e men $oo(e& at t!em or 

ta$(e& to t!em, t!e) -o#$& #%e t!eir bo&ie% to ma(e a &ea$ T!e narrator &e%-ribe% $)in+ in be& at

ni+!t, 0#iet$) ex-!an+in+ name% wit! t!e ot!er women

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Summary/ Cha(ter 1

T!e %-ene -!an+e%, an& t!e %tor) %!i't% 'rom t!e "a%t to t!e "re%ent ten%e O''re& now $ive% in a

room 'itte& o#t wit! -#rtain%, a "i$$ow, a 'rame& "i-t#re, an& a brai&e& r#+ T!ere i% no +$a%% in

t!e room, not even over t!e 'rame& "i-t#re T!e win&ow &oe% not o"en -om"$ete$), an& t!e

win&ow"ane i% %!atter"roo' T!ere i% not!in+ in t!e room 'rom w!i-! one -o#$& !an+ a ro"e, an&

t!e &oor &oe% not $o-( or even %!#t -om"$ete$) >oo(in+ aro#n&, O''re& remember% !ow A#nt

>)&ia to$& !er to -on%i&er !er -ir-#m%tan-e% a "rivi$e+e, not a "ri%on

.an&mai&%, to w!i-! +ro#" t!e narrator be$on+%, &re%% entire$) in re&, ex-e"t 'or t!e w!ite win+%

'ramin+ t!eir 'a-e% .o#%e!o$& %ervant%, -a$$e& 2Mart!a%, wear +reen #ni'orm% 2Wive% wear 

 b$#e #ni'orm% O''re& o'ten %e-ret$) $i%ten% to Rita an& Cora, t!e Mart!a% w!o wor( in t!e !o#%e

w!ere %!e $ive% On-e, %!e !ear% Rita %tate t!at %!e wo#$& never &eba%e !er%e$' a% %omeone in

O''re&4% "o%ition m#%t Cora re"$ie% t!at O''re& wor(% 'or a$$ t!e women, an& t!at i' %!e ?Cora@

were )o#n+er an& !a& not +otten !er t#be% tie&, %!e -o#$& !ave been in O''re&4% %it#ation O''re&

wi%!e% %!e -o#$& ta$( to t!em, b#t Mart!a% are not %#""o%e& to &eve$o" re$ation%!i"% wit!

.an&mai&% S!e wi%!e% t!at %!e -o#$& %!are +o%%i" $i(e t!e) &o:+o%%i" abo#t !ow one

.an&mai& +ave birt! to a %ti$$born, !ow a Wi'e %tabbe& a .an&mai& wit! a (nittin+ nee&$e o#t o' 

 ea$o#%), !ow %omeone "oi%one& !er Comman&er   wit! toi$et -$eaner O''re& &re%%e% 'or a

%!o""in+ tri" S!e -o$$e-t% 'rom Rita t!e to(en% t!at %erve a% -#rren-) Ea-! to(en bear% an ima+e

o' w!at it wi$$ "#r-!a%e twe$ve e++%, -!ee%e, an& a %tea(

Summary/ Cha(ter 2

On !er wa) o#t, O''re& $oo(% aro#n& 'or t!e Comman&er4% Wi'e b#t &oe% not %ee !er T!e

Comman&er4% Wi'e !a% a +ar&en, an& %!e (nit% -on%tant$) A$$ t!e Wive% (nit %-arve% 2'or t!e

An+e$% at t!e 'ront $ine%, b#t t!e Comman&er4% Wi'e i% a "arti-#$ar$) %(i$$e& (nitter O''re&

won&er% i' t!e %-arve% a-t#a$$) +et #%e&, or i' t!e) #%t +ive t!e Wive% %omet!in+ to &o S!e

remember% arrivin+ at t!e Comman&er4% !o#%e 'or t!e 'ir%t time, a'ter t!e two -o#"$e% to w!i-!

%!e wa% "revio#%$) a%%i+ne& 2&i&n4t wor( o#t One o' t!e Wive% in an ear$ier "o%tin+ %e-$#&e&

!er%e$' in t!e be&room, "#r"orte&$) &rin(in+, an& O''re& !o"e& t!e new Comman&er4% Wi'e

wo#$& be &i''erent On t!e 'ir%t &a), !er new mi%tre%% to$& !er to %ta) o#t o' !er %i+!t a% m#-! a%

 "o%%ib$e, an& to avoi& ma(in+ tro#b$e A% %!e ta$(e&, t!e Wi'e %mo(e& a -i+arette, a b$a-(/mar(et

item .an&mai&%, O''re& note%, are 'orbi&&en -o''ee, -i+arette%, an& a$-o!o$ T!en t!e Wi'e

remin&e& O''re& t!at t!e Comman&er i% her  !#%ban&, "ermanent$) an& 'orever 27t4% one o' t!e

t!in+% we 'o#+!t 'or, %!e %ai&, $oo(in+ awa) S#&&en$), O''re& re-o+ni5e& !er mi%tre%% a% Serena

;o),  t!e $ea& %o"rano 'rom Growin+ So#$% Go%"e$ .o#r, a S#n&a)/mornin+ re$i+io#% "ro+ram

t!at aire& w!en O''re& wa% a -!i$&

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Analysis/ Cha(ters 034

The Handmaid’s Tale "$#n+e% imme&iate$) into an #n'ami$iar, #nex"$aine& wor$&, #%in+ #n'ami$iar 

term% $i(e 2.an&mai&, 2An+e$, an& 2Comman&er t!at on$) -ome to ma(e %en%e a% t!e %tor)

 "ro+re%%e% O''re& +ra&#a$$) &e$iver% in'ormation abo#t !er "a%t an& t!e wor$& in w!i-! %!e $ive%,

o'ten narratin+ t!ro#+! '$a%!ba-(% S!e narrate% t!e%e '$a%!ba-(% in t!e "a%t ten%e, w!i-! &i%tin+#i%!e%

t!em 'rom t!e main bo&) o' t!e %tor), w!i-! %!e te$$% in t!e "re%ent ten%e T!e 'ir%t %-ene, in t!e

+)mna%i#m, i% a '$a%!ba-(, a% are O''re&4% memorie% o' t!e Mart!a%4 +o%%i" an& !er 'ir%t meetin+ wit!

t!e Comman&er4% Wi'e A$t!o#+! at t!i% "oint we &o not (now w!at t!e +)mna%i#m %i+ni'ie%, or w!)

t!e narrator an& ot!er women $ive& t!ere, we &o +at!er %ome in'ormation 'rom t!e brie' 'ir%t -!a"ter

T!e women in t!e +)mna%i#m $ive #n&er t!e -on%tant %#rvei$$an-e o' t!e An+e$% an& t!e A#nt%, an&

t!e) -annot intera-t wit! one anot!er T!e) %eem to in!abit a (in& o' "ri%on O''re& $i(en% t!e +)m to

a "a$im"%e%t, a "ar-!ment eit!er era%e& an& written on a+ain or $a)ere& wit! m#$ti"$e writin+% 7n t!e

+)m "a$im"%e%t, O''re& %ee% m#$ti"$e $a)er% o' !i%tor) !i+! %-!oo$ +ir$% +oin+ to ba%(etba$$ +ame%

an& &an-e% wearin+ mini%(irt%, t!en "ant%, t!en +reen !air >i(enin+ t!e +)m to a "a$im"%e%t a$%o

%#++e%t% t!at t!e %o-iet) O''re& now in!abit% !a% been %#"erim"o%e& on a "revio#% %o-iet), an& tra-e%

o' t!e o$& $in+er beneat! t!e new

7n C!a"ter =, O''re& %it% in a room t!at %eem% at 'ir%t $i(e a "$ea%ant -!an+e 'rom !ar%!

atmo%"!ere o' t!e +)mna%i#m .owever, !er &e%-ri"tion o' !er room &emon%trate% t!at t!e %ame

ri+i&, -ontro$$in+ %tr#-t#re% t!at r#$e& t!e +)m -ontin#e to -on%tri-t !er in t!i% !o#%e T!e room i%

$i(e a "ri%on in w!i-! a$$ mean% o' &e'en%e, or e%-a"e b) %#i-i&e or '$i+!t, !ave been remove&

S!e won&er% i' women ever)w!ere +et i%%#e& exa-t$) t!e %ame %!eet% an& -#rtain%, w!i-!

#n&er$ine% t!e i&ea t!at t!e room i% $i(e a +overnment/or&ere& "ri%on

We &o not (now )et w!at "#r"o%e O''re& %erve% in t!e !o#%e, a$t!o#+! it %eem% to be %ex#a$: 

Cora -omment% t!at %!e -o#$& !ave &one O''re&4% wor( i' %!e !a&n4t +otten !er t#be% tie&, w!i-!

im"$ie% t!at O''re&4% '#n-tion i% re"ro&#-tive Serena ;o)4% -o$&ne%% to O''re& ma(e% it "$ain t!at

%!e -on%i&er% O''re& a t!reat, or at $ea%t an anno)an-e We &o (now 'rom O''re&4% name t!at %!e,

$i(e a$$ .an&mai&%, i% -on%i&ere& %tate "ro"ert) .an&mai&%4 name% %im"$) re'$e-t w!i-!

Comman&er own% t!em 2O' re&, 2O' Warren, an& 2O' G$en +et -o$$a"%e& into 2O''re&,

2O'warren, an& 2O'+$en T!e name% ma(e more %en%e w!en "re-e&e& b) t!e wor& 2<ro"ert)

2<ro"ert) O''re&, 'or exam"$e T!#%, ever) time t!e women !ear t!eir name%, t!e) are remin&e&

t!at t!e) are no more t!an "ro"ert)

T!e%e ear$) -!a"ter% e%tab$i%! t!e nove$4% %t)$e, w!i-! i% -!ara-teri5e& b) -on%i&erab$e "!)%i-a$

&e%-ri"tion T!e narrator &evote% attention to t!e 'eat#re% o' t!e +)m, t!e Comman&er4% !o#%e,

an& Serena ;o)4% "in-!e& 'a-e O''re& te$$% t!e %tor) in non$inear 'a%!ion, 'o$$owin+ t!e tem"ora$

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$ea"% o' !er own min& T!e narrative +oe% w!ere !er t!o#+!t% ta(e it:one moment to t!e

 "re%ent, in t!e Comman&er4% !o#%e, an& t!e next ba-( in t!e +)mna%i#m, or in t!e o$& wor$&, t!e

nite& State% a% it exi%t% in O''re&4% memor) We &o not !ave t!e %en%e, a% in %ome 'ir%t/"er%on

narrative%, t!at O''re& i% -om"o%in+ t!i% %tor) 'rom a &i%tan-e& vanta+e "oint, re'$e-tin+ ba-( on

!er "a%t Rat!er, a$$ o' !er t!o#+!t% !ave a 0#a$it) o' imme&ia-) We are t!ere wit! O''re& a% %!e

+oe% abo#t !er &ai$) $i'e, an& a% %!e %$i"% o#t o' t!e "re%ent an& t!in(% abo#t !er "a%t

C!a"ter% I*

Summary/ Cha(ter 5

A% %!e $eave% t!e !o#%e to +o %!o""in+, O''re& noti-e% Ni-( , a G#ar&ian o' t!e ait!, wa%!in+ t!e

Comman&er 4% -ar Ni-( $ive% above t!e +ara+e .e win(% at O''re&:an o''en%e a+ain%t /&e-or#m

 : b#t %!e i+nore% !im, 'earin+ t!at !e ma) be an E)e, a %") a%%i+ne& to te%t !er S!e wait% at t!e

-orner 'or O'+$en, anot!er .an&mai& wit! w!om O''re& wi$$ &o !er %!o""in+ T!e .an&mai&%

a$wa)% trave$ in "air% w!en o#t%i&e

O'+$en arrive%, an& t!e) ex-!an+e +reetin+%, -are'#$ not to %a) an)t!in+ t!at i%n4t %tri-t$)

ort!o&ox O'+$en %a)% t!at %!e !a% !ear& t!e war i% +oin+ we$$, an& t!at t!e arm) re-ent$)

&e'eate& a +ro#" o' Ba"ti%t rebe$% 2<rai%e be, O''re& re%"on&% T!e) rea-! a -!e-("oint manne&

 b) two )o#n+ G#ar&ian% T!e G#ar&ian% %erve a% a ro#tine "o$i-e 'or-e an& &o menia$ $abor T!e)

are men too )o#n+, too o$&, or #%t +enera$$) #n'it 'or t!e arm) o#n+ G#ar&ian%, %#-! a% t!e%e,

-an be &an+ero#% be-a#%e t!e) are 're0#ent$) more 'anati-a$ or nervo#% t!an o$&er +#ar&% T!e%e

)o#n+ G#ar&ian% re-ent$) %!ot a Mart!a a% %!e '#mb$e& 'or !er "a%%, be-a#%e t!e) t!o#+!t %!e

wa% a man in &i%+#i%e -arr)in+ a bomb O''re& !ear& Rita an& Cora ta$(in+ abo#t t!e %!ootin+

Rita wa% an+r), b#t Cora %eeme& to a--e"t t!e %!ootin+ a% t!e "ri-e one "a)% 'or %a'et)

At t!e -!e-("oint, O''re& %#bt$) '$irt% wit! one o' t!e G#ar&ian% b) ma(in+ e)e -onta-t,

-!eri%!in+ t!i% %ma$$ in'ra-tion a+ain%t t!e r#$e% S!e -on%i&er% !ow %ex/%tarve& t!e )o#n+ men

m#%t be, %in-e t!e) -annot marr) wit!o#t "ermi%%ion, ma%t#rbation i% a %in, an& "orno+ra"!i-

ma+a5ine% an& 'i$m% are now 'orbi&&en T!e G#ar&ian% -an on$) !o"e to be-ome An+e$%, w!en

t!e) wi$$ be a$$owe& to ta(e a wi'e an& "er!a"% event#a$$) +et a .an&mai& T!i% mar(% t!e 'ir%t

time in t!e nove$ we !ear t!e wor& 2.an&mai& #%e&

Summary/ Cha(ter 4

7n town, O'+$en an& O''re& wait in $ine at t!e %!o"% We $earn t!e name o' t!i% new %o-iet) 2T!e

Re"#b$i- o' Gi$ea& O''re& remember% t!e "re/Gi$ea& &a)%, w!en women were not "rote-te&

t!e) !a& to (ee" t!eir &oor% -$o%e& to %tran+er% an& i+nore -at-a$$% on t!e %treet Now no one

w!i%t$e% at women a% t!e) wa$(F no one to#-!e% t!em or ta$(% to t!em S!e remember% A#nt

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>)&ia ex"$ainin+ t!at more t!an one (in& o' 'ree&om exi%t%, an& t!at 2in t!e &a)% o' anar-!), it

wa% 'ree&om to Now )o# are bein+ +iven 'ree&om 'rom

T!e women %!o" at %tore% (nown b) name% $i(e A$$ $e%! an& Mi$( an& .one) <i-t#re% o' meat

or 'r#it mar( t!e %tore%, rat!er t!an $ettere& %i+n%, be-a#%e 2t!e) &e-i&e& t!at even t!e name% o' 

%!o"% were too m#-! tem"tation 'or #% A .an&mai& in t!e $ate %ta+e% o' "re+nan-) enter% t!e

%tore an& rai%e% a '$#rr) o' ex-itement O''re& re-o+ni5e% !er 'rom t!e Re& Center S!e #%e& to be

(nown a% ;anine, an& %!e wa% one o' A#nt >)&ia4% 'avorite% Now !er name i% O'warren O''re&

%en%e% t!at ;anine went %!o""in+ #%t %o %!e -o#$& %!ow o'' !er "re+nan-)

O''re& t!in(% o' !er !#%ban&,  >#(e, an& t!eir &a#+!ter, an& t!e $i'e t!e) $e& be'ore Gi$ea&

exi%te& S!e remember% a "ro%ai- &etai$ 'rom t!eir ever)&a) $i'e to+et!er %!e #%e& to %tore "$a%ti-

%!o""in+ ba+% #n&er t!e %in(, w!i-! anno)e& >#(e, w!o worrie& t!at t!eir &a#+!ter wo#$& +et

one o' t!e ba+% -a#+!t over !er !ea& S!e remember% 'ee$in+ +#i$t) 'or !er -are$e%%ne%% O''re&

an& O'+$en 'ini%! t!eir %!o""in+ an& +o o#t to t!e %i&ewa$(, w!ere t!e) en-o#nter a +ro#" o' 

;a"ane%e to#ri%t% an& t!eir inter"reter T!e to#ri%t% want to ta(e a "!oto+ra"!, b#t O''re& %a)% no

Man) o' t!e inter"reter% are E)e%, an& .an&mai&% m#%t not a""ear immo&e%t O''re& an& O'+$en

marve$ at t!e women4% ex"o%e& $e+%, !i+! !ee$%, an& "o$i%!e& toenai$% T!e to#ri%t% a%( i' t!e) are

!a""), an& %in-e O'+$en &oe% not an%wer, O''re& re"$ie% t!at t!e) are ver) !a"")

Summary/ Cha(ter 6

This ma% no! seem ordinar% !o %o now, b! a"!er a !ime i! will. +! will be(ome ordinar%.

A% t!e) ret#rn 'rom %!o""in+, O'+$en %#++e%t% t!e) ta(e t!e $on+ wa) an& "a%% b) t!e -!#r-! 7t

i% an o$& b#i$&in+, &e-orate& in%i&e wit! "aintin+% o' w!at %eem to be <#ritan% 'rom t!e -o$onia$

era Now t!e 'ormer -!#r-! i% (e"t a% a m#%e#m O''re& &e%-ribe% a nearb) boat!o#%e, o$&

&ormitorie%, a 'ootba$$ %ta&i#m, an& re&bri-( %i&ewa$(% Atwoo& im"$ie% t!at O''re& i% wa$(in+

a-ro%% w!at #%e& to be t!e -am"#% o' .arvar& niver%it) A-ro%% t!e %treet 'rom t!e -!#r-! %it%

t!e Wa$$, w!ere t!e a#t!oritie% !an+ t!e bo&ie% o' exe-#te& -rimina$% a% exam"$e% to t!e re%t o' 

t!e Re"#b$i- o' Gi$ea& T!e a#t!oritie% -over t!e men4% !ea&% wit! ba+% One o' t!e ba+% $oo(%

 "ainte& wit! a re& %mi$e w!ere t!e b$oo& !a% %ee"e& t!ro#+! A$$ o' t!e %ix -or"%e% wear %i+n%

aro#n& t!eir ne-(% "i-t#rin+ 'et#%e%, %i+na$in+ t!at t!e) were exe-#te& 'or "er'ormin+ abortion%

 be'ore Gi$ea& -ame into exi%ten-e A$t!o#+! t!eir a-tion% were $e+a$ at t!e time, t!eir -rime% are

 bein+ "#ni%!e& retroa-tive$) O''re& 'ee$% re$ieve& t!at none o' t!e bo&ie% -o#$& be >#(e4%, %in-e

!e wa% not a &o-tor A% %!e %tare% at t!e bo&ie%, O''re& t!in(% o' A#nt >)&ia te$$in+ t!em t!at

%oon t!eir new $i'e wo#$& %eem or&inar)

Analysis/ Cha(ters 536

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T!e t!eo-rati- nat#re o' O''re&4% %o-iet), t!e name o' w!i-! we $earn 'or t!e 'ir%t time in t!e%e

-!a"ter%, be-ome% -$ear &#rin+ !er %!o""in+ tri" A t!eo-ra-) exi%t% w!en t!ere i% no %e"aration

 between -!#r-! an& %tate, an& a %in+$e re$i+ion &ominate% a$$ a%"e-t% o' $i'e 7n Gi$ea&, %tate an&

re$i+ion are in%e"arab$e T!e o''i-ia$ $an+#a+e o' Gi$ea& #%e% man) bib$i-a$ term%, 'rom t!e vario#%

ran(% t!at men !o$& ?An+e$%, G#ar&ian% o' t!e ait!, Comman&er% o' t!e ait!, t!e E)e% o' Go&@, to

t!e %tore% w!ere O''re& an& O'+$en %!o" ?Mi$( an& .one), A$$ $e%!, >oave% an& i%!e%@, to t!e

name% o' a#tomobi$e% ?Be!emot!, W!ir$win&, C!ariot@ T!e ver) name 2Gi$ea& re'er% to a $o-ation

in an-ient 7%rae$ T!e name a$%o re-a$$% a $ine 'rom t!e Boo( o' <%a$m% 2t!ere i% a ba$m in Gi$ea&

T!i% "!ra%e, we rea$i5e $ater, !a% been tran%'orme& into a (in& o' nationa$ motto

Atwoo& &oe% not &e%-ribe t!e exa-t &etai$% o' Gi$ea&4% %tate re$i+ion 7n C!a"ter =, O''re&

&e%-ribe% !er room a% 2a ret#rn to tra&itiona$ va$#e% T!e re$i+io#% ri+!t in Ameri-a #%e% t!e

 "!ra%e 2tra&itiona$ va$#e%, %o Atwoo& %eem% to $in( t!e va$#e% o' t!i% &)%to"i- %o-iet) to t!e

va$#e% o' t!e <rote%tant C!ri%tian re$i+io#% ri+!t in Ameri-a Gi$ea& %eem% more <rote%tant t!an

an)t!in+ e$%e, b#t it% bran& o' C!ri%tianit) "a)% 'ar more attention to t!e O$& Te%tament t!an t!e

 New Te%tament T!e re$i+io#% #%ti'i-ation 'or !avin+ .an&mai&%, 'or in%tan-e, i% ta(en 'rom t!e

Boo( o' Gene%i% We $earn t!at neit!er Cat!o$i-% nor ;ew% are we$-ome in Gi$ea& T!e 'ormer 

m#%t -onvert, w!i$e t!e $atter m#%t emi+rate to 7%rae$ or reno#n-e t!eir ;#&ai%m

Atwoo& %eem% $e%% intere%te& in re$i+ion t!an in t!e inter%e-tion between re$i+ion, "o$iti-%, an&

%ex The Handmaid’s Tale ex"$ore% t!e "o$iti-a$ o""re%%ion o' women, -arrie& o#t in t!e name o' 

Go& b#t in $ar+e "art motivate& b) a &e%ire to -ontro$ women4% bo&ie% Gi$ea& %ee% women4%

%ex#a$it) a% &an+ero#% women m#%t -over t!em%e$ve% 'rom !ea& to toe, 'or exam"$e, an& not

revea$ t!eir %ex#a$ attra-tion% W!en O''re& attra-t% t!e G#ar&ian%, %!e 'ee$% t!i% abi$it) to in%"ire

%ex#a$ attra-tion i% t!e on$) "ower %!e retain% Ever) ot!er "rivi$e+e i% %tri""e& awa), &own to t!e

ver) a-t o' rea&in+, w!i-! i% 'orbi&&en Women are not even a$$owe& to rea& %tore %i+n% B)

-ontro$$in+ women4% min&%, b) not a$$owin+ t!em to rea&, t!e a#t!oritie% more ea%i$) -ontro$

women4% bo&ie% T!e "atriar-!% o' Gi$ea& want to -ontro$ women4% bo&ie%, t!eir %ex $ive%, an&

t!eir re"ro&#-tive ri+!t% T!e bo&ie% o' %$ain abortioni%t% on t!e Wa$$ !ammer !ome t!e "oint

'emini%t% be$ieve t!at women m#%t !ave abortion ri+!t% in or&er to -ontro$ t!eir own bo&ie%, an&

in Gi$ea&, +ivin+ women -ontro$ o' t!eir bo&ie% i% a !orri')in+ -rime

W!en O''re& an& O'+$en +o to town to %!o", +eo+ra"!i-a$ -$#e% an& %treet name% %#++e%t t!at t!e)

$ive in w!at wa% on-e Cambri&+e, Ma%%a-!#%ett%, an& t!at t!eir wa$( ta(e% t!em near w!at #%e& to be

t!e -am"#% o' .arvar& niver%it) T!e -!oi-e o' Cambri&+e 'or t!e %ettin+ o' The Handmaid’s Tale i%

%i+ni'i-ant, %in-e Ma%%a-!#%ett% wa% a <#ritan %tron+!o$& &#rin+ t!e -o$onia$ "erio& o' t!e nite&

State% T!e <#ritan% were a "er%e-#te& minorit) in En+$an&, b#t w!en t!e) '$e& to New En+$an&, t!e)

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re/-reate& t!e re"re%%ion t!e) %#''ere& at !ome, t!i% time -a%tin+ t!em%e$ve% a% t!e re"re%%or% rat!er 

t!an t!e re"re%%e& T!e) e%tab$i%!e& an into$erant re$i+io#% %o-iet) in %ome wa)% %imi$ar to Gi$ea&

Atwoo& $o-ate% !er 'i-tiona$ into$erant %o-iet) in a "$a-e 'o#n&e& b) into$erant "eo"$e B) t#rnin+ t!e

o$& -!#r-! into a m#%e#m, an& $eavin+ #nto#-!e& "ortrait% o' <#ritan 'orebear%, t!e 'o#n&er% o' 

Gi$ea& %#++e%t t!eir a&miration 'or t!e o$& <#ritan %o-iet)

C!a"ter% 6I9

Summary/ Cha(ter 7

 + wold li&e !o believe !his is a s!or% +’m !elling. + need !o believe i!. + ms! believe i!. Those who

(an believe !ha! s(h s!ories are onl% s!ories have a be!!er (han(e.

At ni+!t, O''re& $i(e% to remember !er 'ormer $i'e S!e re-a$$% ta$(in+ to !er -o$$e+e 'rien&, Moira, in

!er &orm room S!e remember% bein+ a -!i$& an& +oin+ to a "ar( wit! !er mot!er, w!ere t!e) %aw a

+ro#" o' women an& a 'ew men b#rnin+ "orno+ra"!i- ma+a5ine% O''re& !a% 'or+otten a $ar+e -!#n( 

o' time, w!i-! %!e t!in(% mi+!t be t!e 'a#$t o' an ine-tion or "i$$ t!e a#t!oritie% +ave !er S!e

remember% wa(in+ #" %omew!ere an& %-reamin+, &eman&in+ to (now w!at t!e) !a& &one wit! !er 

&a#+!ter T!e a#t!oritie% to$& O''re& %!e wa% #n'it, an& !er &a#+!ter wa% wit! t!o%e 'it to -are 'or !er

T!e) %!owe& !er a "!oto+ra"! o' !er -!i$& wearin+ a w!ite &re%%, !o$&in+ t!e !an& o' a %tran+e

woman A% %!e re-o#nt% t!e%e event%, O''re& ima+ine% %!e i% te$$in+ !er %tor) to %omeone, te$$in+

t!in+% t!at %!e -annot write &own, be-a#%e writin+ i% 'orbi&&en

Summary/ Cha(ter 8

Ret#rnin+ 'rom anot!er %!o""in+ tri", O'+$en an& O''re& noti-e t!ree new bo&ie% on t!e Wa$$ One i%

a Cat!o$i- "rie%t an& two are G#ar&ian% w!o bear "$a-ar&% aro#n& t!eir ne-(% t!at rea& 2Gen&er 

Trea-!er) T!i% mean% t!e) were !an+e& 'or -ommittin+ !omo%ex#a$ a-t% A'ter $oo(in+ at t!e

 bo&ie% 'or a w!i$e, O''re& te$$% O'+$en t!at t!e) %!o#$& -ontin#e wa$(in+ !ome T!e) meet a '#nera$

 "ro-e%%ion o' E-onowive%, t!e wive% o' "oorer men One E-onowi'e -arrie% a %ma$$ b$a-( ar rom

t!e %i5e o' t!e ar, O''re& -an te$$ t!at it -ontain% a &ea& embr)o 'rom an ear$) mi%-arria+e:one t!at

-ame too ear$) to (now w!et!er it wa% an 2nbab) T!e E-onowive% &o not $i(e t!e .an&mai&%

One woman %-ow$%, an& anot!er %"it% at t!e .an&mai&% a% t!e) "a%%

At t!e -orner near t!e Comman&er 4% !ome, O'+$en %a)% 2n&er .i% E)e, t!e ort!o&ox +oo&/b)e,

!e%itatin+ a% i' %!e want% to %a) more b#t t!en -ontin#in+ on !er wa) W!en O''re& rea-!e% t!e

Comman&er4% &rivewa) %!e "a%%e% Ni-( , w!o brea(% t!e r#$e% b) a%(in+ !er abo#t !er wa$( S!e

%a)% not!in+ an& +oe% into t!e !o#%e S!e %ee% Serena ;o) o#t in t!e +ar&en an& re-a$$% !ow a'ter 

Serena4% %in+in+ -areer en&e&, %!e be-ame a %"o(e%"er%on 'or re%"e-tin+ t!e 2%an-tit) o' t!e

!ome an& 'or women %ta)in+ at !ome in%tea& o' wor(in+ Serena !er%e$' never %ta)e& at !ome,

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 be-a#%e %!e wa% a$wa)% o#t +ivin+ %"ee-!e% On-e, O''re& remember%, %omeone trie& to

a%%a%%inate Serena b#t (i$$e& !er %e-retar) in%tea& O''re& won&er% i' Serena i% an+r) t!at %!e -an

no $on+er be a "#b$i- 'i+#re, now t!at w!at %!e a&vo-ate& !a% -ome to "a%% an& a$$ women,

in-$#&in+ !er, are -on'ine& to t!e !ome

7n t!e (it-!en, Rita '#%%e% over t!e 0#a$it) o' t!e "#r-!a%e% a% %!e a$wa)% &oe% O''re& retreat%

#"%tair% an& noti-e% t!e Comman&er %tan&in+ o#t%i&e !er room .e i% not %#""o%e& to be t!ere

.e no&% at !er an& retreat%

Summary/ Cha(ter 9

O''re& remember% rentin+ !ote$ room% an& waitin+ 'or >#(e to meet !er, be'ore t!e) were

marrie&, w!en !e wa% -!eatin+ on !i% 'ir%t wi'e S!e re+ret% t!at %!e &i& not '#$$) a""re-iate t!e

'ree&om to !ave !er own %"a-e w!en %!e wante& it T!in(in+ o' t!e "rob$em% %!e an& >#(e

t!o#+!t t!e) !a&, %!e rea$i5e% t!e) were tr#$) !a""), a$t!o#+! t!e) &i& not (now it S!e

remember% examinin+ !er room in t!e Comman&er4% !o#%e $itt$e b) $itt$e a'ter %!e 'ir%t arrive&

S!e %aw %tain% on t!e mattre%%, $e't over 'rom $on+/a+o %ex, an& %!e &i%-overe& a >atin "!ra%e

're%!$) %-rat-!e& into t!e '$oor o' t!e -$o%et  Noli!e !e bas!ardes (arborndorm. O''re& &oe% not

#n&er%tan& >atin 7t "$ea%e% !er to ima+ine t!at t!i% me%%a+e a$$ow% !er to -omm#ne wit! t!e

woman w!o wrote it S!e "i-t#re% t!i% woman a% 're-($) an& irreverent, %omeone $i(e Moira

>ater, %!e a%(% Rita w!o %ta)e& in !er room be'ore !er Rita te$$% !er to %"e-i') w!i-! one,

im"$)in+ t!at t!ere were a n#mber o' .an&mai&% be'ore !er O''re& %a)%, +#e%%in+, 2t!e $ive$)

one wit! 're-($e% Rita a%(% !ow O''re& (new abo#t !er, b#t %!e re'#%e% to te$$ O''re&

an)t!in+ abo#t t!e "revio#% .an&mai& be)on& a va+#e %tatement t!at %!e &i& not wor( o#t

Analysis/ Cha(ter 739

Atwoo& %#++e%t% t!at t!o%e w!o %ee( to re%tri-t %ex#a$ ex"re%%ion, w!et!er t!e) are 'emini%t% or 

re$i+io#% -on%ervative%, #$timate$) %!are t!e %ame +oa$:t!e -ontro$ o' %ex#a$it), "arti-#$ar$)

women4% %ex#a$it) 7n t!e '$a%!ba-( to t!e %-ene 'rom O''re&4% -!i$&!oo& in w!i-! women b#rn

 "orno+ra"!i- ma+a5ine%, Atwoo& %!ow% t!e %imi$arit) between t!e extremi%m o' t!e $e't an& t!e

extremi%m o' t!e ri+!t T!e "eo"$e b#rnin+ ma+a5ine% are 'emini%t%, not re$i+io#% -on%ervative%

$i(e t!e $ea&er% o' Gi$ea&, )et t!eir +oa$ i% t!e %ame to -ra-( &own on -ertain (in&% o' %ex#a$

'ree&om 7n ot!er wor&%, t!e &e%ire 'or -ontro$ over %ex#a$it) i% not #ni0#e to t!e re$i+io#%

tota$itarian% o' Gi$ea&F it a$%o exi%te& in t!e 'emini%t anti/"orno+ra"!) -r#%a&e% t!at "re-e&e& t!e

'a$$ o' t!e nite& State% Gi$ea& a-t#a$$) a""ro"riate% %ome o' t!e r!etori- o' women4% $iberation

in it% attem"t to -ontro$ women Gi$ea& a$%o #%e% t!e A#nt% an& t!e A#nt%4 r!etori-, 'or-in+

women to -ontro$ ot!er women A+ain an& a+ain in t!e nove$, t!e voi-e o' A#nt >)&ia rin+% in

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O''re&4% !ea&, in%i%tin+ t!at women are better o'' in Gi$ea&, 'ree 'rom ex"$oitation an& vio$en-e,

t!an t!e) were in t!e &an+ero#% 'ree&om o' "re/Gi$ea& time%

7n C!a"ter 6, O''re& re$ate% %ome o' t!e &etai$% o' !ow %!e $o%t !er -!i$& T!i% $o%% i% t!e -entra$

wo#n& on O''re&4% "%)-!e t!ro#+!o#t t!e nove$, an& t!e nove$4% +reat %o#r-e o' emotiona$ "ower T!e

$o%% o' !er -!i$& i% %o "ain'#$ to O''re& t!at %!e -an on$) re$ate t!e %tor) in 'it% an& %tart%F %o 'ar t!e

&etai$% o' w!at !a""ene& !ave been m#r() W!en te$$in+ %torie% 'rom !er "a%t, $i(e t!e %tor) o' !er 

&a#+!ter4% &i%a""earan-e, O''re& o'ten %eem% to &raw on a "artia$ or 'o++) memor) 7t a$mo%t %eem%

a% i' %!e i% rememberin+ &etai$% 'rom !#n&re&% o' )ear% a+o, w!en we (now t!e%e t!in+% !a""ene& a

'ew )ear% be'ore t!e narrative <art$) t!i% &i%tan-e i% t!e "ro&#-t o' emotiona$ tra#ma:t!in(in+ o' t!e

 "a%t i% "ain'#$ 'or O''re& B#t in C!a"ter 6, O''re& o''er% !er own ex"$anation 'or t!e%e +a"% %!e

t!in(% it "o%%ib$e t!at t!e a#t!oritie% +ave !er a "i$$ or ine-tion t!at !arme& !er memor)

7mme&iate$) a'ter rememberin+ !er &a#+!ter, O''re& a&&re%%e% %omeone %!e -a$$% 2)o# S!e

-o#$& be ta$(in+ to Go&, >#(e, or an ima+inar) '#t#re rea&er 27 wo#$& $i(e to be$ieve t!i% i% a

%tor) 74m te$$in+, O''re& %a)% 2T!o%e w!o -an be$ieve t!at %#-! %torie% are on$) %torie% !ave a

 better -!an-e A %tor) i% a $etter ear -o, 74$$ %a) 7n t!e a-t o' te$$in+ !er ima+ine& a#&ien-e

abo#t !er $i'e, O''re& re&#-e% !er $i'e4% !orror an& ma(e% it% o""re%%ive wei+!t en&#rab$e A$%o, i' 

%!e -an t!in( o' !er $i'e a% a %tor) an& !er%e$' a% t!e writer, %!e -an t!in( o' !er $i'e a%

-ontro$$ab$e, 'i-tiona$, %omet!in+ not terri')in+ be-a#%e not rea$

We $earn in C!a"ter 8 t!at Serena #%e& to -am"ai+n a+ain%t women4% ri+!t% T!i% ma(e% !er a

'i+#re wort!) o' "it), in a wa)F %!e %#""orte& t!e anti/woman "rin-i"$e% on w!i-! Gi$ea& wa%

'o#n&e&, b#t on-e t!e) were im"$emente&, %!e 'o#n& t!at t!e) a''e-te& !er a% we$$ a% ot!er 

women S!e now $ive% &e"rive& o' 'ree&om an& %a&&$e& wit! a .an&mai& w!o !a% %ex wit! !er 

!#%ban& et Serena 'or'eit% w!at "it) we mi+!t 'ee$ 'or !er b) !er -a$$o#%, "ett) be!avior towar&

O''re& <ower$e%% in t!e wor$& o' men, Serena -an on$) ta(e o#t !er 'r#%tration on t!e women

#n&er !er t!#mb b) ma(in+ t!eir $ive% mi%erab$e 7n man) wa)%, %!e treat% O''re& 'ar wor%e t!an

t!e Comman&er &oe%, w!i-! %#++e%t% t!at Gi$ea&4% o""re%%ive "ower %tr#-t#re %#--ee&% not #%t

 be-a#%e men -reate& it, b#t be-a#%e women $i(e Serena %#%tain it

 Noli!e !e bas!ardes (arborndorm t!e >atin "!ra%e %-raw$e& in O''re&4% -$o%et b) a "revio#%

.an&mai&:ta(e% on a ma+i-a$ im"ortan-e 'or O''re& even be'ore %!e (now% w!at it mean% 7t

%)mbo$i5e% !er inner re%i%tan-e to Gi$ea&4% t)rann) an& ma(e% !er 'ee$ $i(e %!e -an -omm#ni-ate wit!

ot!er %tron+ women, $i(e t!e woman w!o wrote t!e me%%a+e 7n C!a"ter =9 we $earn w!at t!e "!ra%e

mean%, an& it% ro$e in %#%tainin+ O''re&4% re%i%tan-e -ome% to %eem "er'e-t$) a""ro"riate

C!a"ter% 1I1=

Summary/ Cha(ter 0:

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O''re& o'ten %in+% %on+% in !er !ea&:2Ama5in+ Gra-e or %on+% b) E$vi% Mo%t m#%i- i%

'orbi&&en in Gi$ea&, an& t!ere i% $itt$e o' it in t!e Comman&er 4% !ome Sometime% %!e !ear%

Serena !#mmin+ an& $i%tenin+ to a re-or&in+ o' !er%e$' 'rom t!e time w!en %!e wa% a 'amo#%

+o%"e$ %in+er S#mmer i% a""roa-!in+, an& t!e !o#%e +row% !ot Soon t!e .an&mai&% wi$$ be

a$$owe& to wear t!eir %#mmer &re%%e% O''re& t!in(% abo#t !ow A#nt >)&ia wo#$& &e%-ribe t!e

terrib$e t!in+% t!at #%e& to !a""en to women in t!e o$& &a)%, be'ore Gi$ea&, w!en t!e) %#nbat!e&

wearin+ next to not!in+ O''re& remember% Moira t!rowin+ an 2#n&erw!ore "art) to %e$$ %ex)

$in+erie S!e remember% rea&in+ %torie% in t!e "a"er% abo#t women w!o were m#r&ere& an&

ra"e&, b#t even in t!e o$& &a)% it %eeme& &i%tant 'rom !er $i'e an& #nre$ate& to !er O''re& %it% at

t!e win&ow, be%i&e a -#%!ion embroi&ere& wit! t!e wor& A7T. 7t i% t!e on$) wor& t!e) !ave

+iven !er to rea&, an& %!e %"en&% man) min#te% $oo(in+ at it rom !er win&ow, %!e wat-!e% t!e

Comman&er +et into !i% -ar an& &rive awa)

Summary/ Cha(ter 00

O''re& %a)% t!at )e%ter&a) %!e went to t!e &o-tor Ever) mont!, a G#ar&ian a--om"anie% O''re&

to a &o-tor, w!o te%t% !er 'or "re+nan-) an& &i%ea%e At t!e &o-tor4% o''i-e, O''re& #n&re%%e%,

 "#$$in+ a %!eet over !er bo&) A %!eet !an+% &own 'rom t!e -ei$in+, -#ttin+ o'' t!e &o-tor4% view

o' !er 'a-e T!e &o-tor i% not %#""o%e& to %ee !er 'a-e or %"ea( to !er i' !e -an !e$" it On t!i%

vi%it, t!o#+!, !e -!atter% -!eer'#$$) an& t!en o''er% to !e$" !er .e %a)% man) o' t!e Comman&er%

are eit!er too o$& to "ro&#-e a -!i$& or are %teri$e, an& !e %#++e%t% t!at !e -o#$& !ave %ex wit! !er 

an& im"re+nate !er .i% #%e o' t!e wor& 2%teri$e %!o-(% O''re&, 'or o''i-ia$$) %teri$e men no

$on+er exi%t 7n Gi$ea&, t!ere are on$) 'r#it'#$ women an& barren women O''re& t!in(% !im

+en#ine$) %)m"at!eti- to !er "$i+!t, b#t %!e a$%o rea$i5e% !e eno)% !i% own em"at!) an& !i%

 "o%ition o' "ower A'ter a moment, %!e &e-$ine%, %a)in+ it i% too &an+ero#% 7' t!e) are -a#+!t,

t!e) wi$$ bot! re-eive t!e &eat! "ena$t) S!e trie% to %o#n& -a%#a$ an& +rate'#$ a% %!e re'#%e%, b#t

%!e 'ee$% 'ri+!tene& To reven+e !er re'#%a$, t!e &o-tor -o#$& 'a$%e$) re"ort t!at %!e !a% a !ea$t!

 "rob$em, an& t!en %!e wo#$& be %ent to t!e Co$onie% wit! t!e 2nwomen O''re& a$%o 'ee$%

'ri+!tene&, %!e rea$i5e%, be-a#%e %!e !a% been +iven a wa) o#t

Summary/ Cha(ter 01

7t i% one o' O''re&4% re0#ire& bat! &a)% T!e bat!room !a% no mirror, no ra5or%, an& no $o-( on t!e

&oor Cora %it% o#t%i&e, waitin+ 'or O''re& O''re&4% own na(e& bo&) %eem% %tran+e to !er, an& %!e

'in&% it !ar& to be$ieve t!at %!e on-e wore bat!in+ %#it%, $ettin+ "eo"$e %ee !er t!i+!% an& arm%, !er 

 brea%t% an& b#tto-(% >)in+ in t!e bat!, %!e t!in(% o' !er &a#+!ter an& remember% t!e time w!en a

-ra5) woman trie& to (i&na" t!e $itt$e +ir$ in t!e %#"ermar(et T!e a#t!oritie% in Gi$ea& too( O''re&4%

t!en/'ive/)ear/o$& -!i$& 'rom !er, an& t!ree )ear% !ave "a%%e& %in-e t!en O''re& !a% no memento% o' 

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!er &a#+!ter S!e remember% A#nt >)&ia %a)in+ women %!o#$& not +et atta-!e& to t!in+%, an& %!o#$&

2-#$tivate "overt) o' %"irit A#nt >)&ia -ite& t!e bib$i-a$ %entiment 2B$e%%e& are t!e mee(, b#t %!e

&i& not +o on, a% t!e Bib$e &oe%, to a&& 2'or t!e) %!a$$ in!erit t!e eart!

Sometime% O''re& t!in(% o' !er &a#+!ter a% a +!o%t S!e m#%e% t!at t!e a#t!oritie% were ri+!t it i%

ea%ier to t!in( o' )o#r %to$en -!i$&ren a% &ea& Cora, im"atient, -a$$% to !er, an& O''re& +et% o#t t!e

 bat! S!e $oo(% &own at !er an($e, an& %ee% t!e tattoo t!at Gi$ea& "$a-e% on a$$ .an&mai&% A'ter t!e

 bat!, %!e eat% &inner, even t!o#+! %!e &oe% not 'ee$ !#n+r) T!e 'oo& i% b$an& O''re& remember% A#nt

>)&ia %a)in+ t!at .an&mai&% are not a$$owe& -o''ee, a$-o!o$, or ni-otine S!e t!in(% o' Serena an& t!e

Comman&er, eatin+ be$ow !er, an& won&er% i' t!e Comman&er ever noti-e% !i% Wi'e .an&mai&% are

not a$$owe& to (ee" #neaten 'oo&, b#t O''re& wra"% a "at o' b#tter in a "ie-e o' t!e na"(in an& !i&e% it

in !er %!oe

Analysis/ Cha(ters 0:301

B) t!i% "oint in t!e nove$, "$enti'#$ -$#e% !ave -$ari'ie& t!e .an&mai&%4 ro$e Serena4% !atre& o' O''re&,

t!e .an&mai&%4 ob%e%%ion wit! 'erti$it) ?2B$e%%e& be t!e 'r#itF 2Ma) t!e >or& o"en i% !ow .an&mai&%

+reet one anot!er@, t!e re'eren-e% to &e-$inin+ birt!rate%, an& t!e vi%it to t!e &o-tor a$$ %#++e%t t!at

.an&mai&% exi%t to bear t!e -!i$&ren o' t!eir Comman&er% 7n t!i% extreme$) "atriar-!a$ wor$&, men

-annot be -a$$e& %teri$e 7' a woman 'ai$% to -on-eive, %!e i% $abe$e& 2barren, an& no one -on%i&er% t!at

t!e man4% %teri$it) ma) !ave been t!e rea%on Gi$ea& a&o"t% "remo&ern be$ie'% an& ree-t% mo&ern

%-ien-e in or&er to +$ori') men et t!e &o-tor4% -omment% to O''re& %!ow t!at t!e be$ie' i% a&o"te& on$)

o""i(iall%. <rivate$), "eo"$e rea$i5e t!at men, e%"e-ia$$) o$&er men $i(e t!e Comman&er%, -an be %teri$e

T!e &o-tor4% o''er to O''re& %#++e%t% t!e $imit% o' tota$itariani%m, an& t!e inabi$it) o' an) %tate to -ontro$

!#man %o-iet) 7&eo$o+) ma) &e-ree t!at Comman&er% -an 'at!er -!i$&ren, b#t it -annot ma(e in'erti$e

men 'erti$e 7t ma) o#t$aw t!e wor& 2%teri$e, b#t "eo"$e rea$i5e %teri$it) exi%t% 7t ma) o#t$aw %ex#a$

im"#$%e% an& "a%%ion, b#t men $i(e t!e &o-tor %ti$$ $#%t 'or %tran+e women O#t$awe& a-tivitie% +o on

 beneat! Gi$ea&4% %#r'a-e, in-$#&in+ t!e %e-ret im"re+nation o' 'erti$e women b) $ower/-$a%% men $i(e t!e

&o-tor T!e #niver%a$ nee& 'or -!i$&ren i% -entra$ to t!e nove$:in one wa) or anot!er, it motivate% a$$ t!e

-!ara-ter% Ar+#ab$), t!e nee& 'or -!i$&ren -reate& Gi$ea&4% entire o""re%%ive %)%tem

W!en t!e &o-tor %#++e%t% im"re+natin+ O''re&, %!e rea$i5e% it %-are% !er not #%t be-a#%e t!e &o-tor 

-o#$& "#ni%! !er i' !e -!o%e to &o %o, b#t be-a#%e !e !a% o''ere& !er an e%-a"e O''re&4% 'ear %eem%

inex"$i-ab$e at 'ir%t:!ow -o#$& %!e not $on+ to e%-a"eJ:b#t it i$$#%trate% t!e "ri%oner menta$it) t!at

%ometime% overta(e% !er S!e want% to %#rvive, an& t!e be%t wa) to %#rvive i% to $earn to bear !er -!ain%

W!en %!e bear% t!em too we$$, t!e) be-ome a$mo%t -om'ortin+ to !er .er -a"tivit) be-ome% 'ami$iar,

an& t!e "ro%"e-t o' a new, 'ree $i'e be-ome% %-ar)

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A#nt >)&ia4% wor&% to t!e women %#++e%t t!at Gi$ea& o"erate% not #%t b) #%in+ i&ea% 'rom t!e women4%

movement, b#t b) #%in+ an& "ervertin+ bib$i-a$ i&ea% an& $an+#a+e S!e te$$% t!e women, 2B$e%%e& are

t!e mee(, b#t %!e $eave% o#t t!e "ivota$ "!ra%e wit! w!i-! t!e Bib$e en&% t!at %enten-e 2'or t!e) %!a$$

in!erit t!e eart! T!e Bib$e %#++e%t% t!at t!e &owntro&&en -an $oo( 'orwar& to an eterna$ rewar&: 

ri%in+ #" a+ain%t t!eir o""re%%or%:b#t t!e i&eo$o+) o' Gi$ea& %#++e%t% #%t t!e o""o%ite women4% +$or)

-ome% 'rom t!eir mee(ne%%, an& t!e) wi$$ a$wa)% be mee( T!at women wo#$& ri%e #" a+ain%t t!eir 

o""re%%or% i%:be)on& %in'#$:#nt!in(ab$e Gi$ea& #%e% bib$i-a$ $an+#a+e w!en -onvenient, even i' t!at

mean% ta(in+ "!ra%e% o#t o' -ontext an& &e%tro)in+ t!eir inten&e& meanin+

7n t!e !o#%e!o$&, a moo& o' $one$ine%% an& i%o$ation exi%t% A% a .an&mai&, O''re& i% not on$) &enie&

'rien&%, %!e i% &enie& a 'ami$) S!e m#%t eat &inner a"art 'rom t!e re%t o' t!e !o#%e!o$&F !er bat!% an&

movement% are re+#$ate& a% i' %!e i% an anima$F t!e %ervant% !ar&$) %"ea( to !er Wit!o#t meanin+'#$

-onta-t in t!e "re%ent, O''re& %"en&% m#-! o' !er time rememberin+ !er "a%t .er memor) o' !er 

&a#+!ter4% attem"te& (i&na""in+ in t!e %#"ermar(et i% a "ie-e o' retro%"e-tive 'ore%!a&owin+, a

memor) o' an event t!at 'ore%!a&owe& t!e #$timate $o%% o' !er &a#+!ter to %ome #n(nown woman in

Gi$ea&, w!o, $i(e t!e %#"ermar(et ma&woman, &i& not !ave a &a#+!ter an& wante& one b) an) mean%

ne-e%%ar)

C!a"ter% 13I1

Summary/ Cha(ter 02

 +’m a (lod, (ongealed arond a (en!ral ob)e(!, !he sha$e o" a $ear, whi(h is hard and more real 

!han + am and glows red wi!hin i!s !ransl(en! wra$$ing.

/*ee

A'ter &inner,  O''re& 'ee$% bore& S!e remember% "aintin+% o' !arem% %!e #%e& to t!in( t!e) were

abo#t eroti-i%m b#t now rea$i5e% t!e) &e"i-te& t!e bore&om o' t!e women S!e won&er% i' men 'in&

 bore& women eroti- S!e t!in(% o' t!e Re& Center, an& !ow Moira wa% bro#+!t t!ere t!ree wee(%

a'ter !er own arriva$ Moira an& O''re& "reten&e& not to (now one anot!er be-a#%e 'rien&%!i"%

aro#%e& %#%"i-ion T!e) arran+e& to meet in t!e re%troom to ex-!an+e a 'ew wor&%, w!i-! ma&e

O''re& 'ee$ terrib$) !a"") At t!e Center ever)one !a& to 2Te%ti') abo#t t!eir "a%t $ive% ;anine 

te%ti'ie& t!at %!e wa% +an+/ra"e& at 'o#rteen A'ter %!e 'ini%!e& %"ea(in+, t!e A#nt% a%(e& t!e +ro#"

w!o%e 'a#$t t!e ra"e wa%, an& t!e re%t o' t!e .an&mai&% -!ante& in #ni%on t!at it wa% ;anine4% 'a#$t

 be-a#%e %!e $e& t!em on W!en %!e -rie&, t!e) -a$$e& !er a -r)bab)

O''re& %a)% %!e #%e& to t!in( o' !er bo&) a% an in%tr#ment o' "$ea%#re or o' tran%"ortation, an

in%tr#ment %!e -ontro$$e& Now, ot!er% &e'ine !er bo&) a% not!in+ more t!an a #ter#% S!e !ate%

'a-in+ men%tr#ation ever) mont! be-a#%e it mean% 'ai$#re .er on$) '#n-tion i% -!i$&bearin+ O''re&

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remember% r#nnin+ t!ro#+! t!e woo&%, tr)in+ to e%-a"e wit! !er &a#+!ter S!e -o#$& not r#n ver)

'a%t, be-a#%e !er -!i$& %$owe& !er &own S!e remember% !earin+ %!ot% S!e an& !er &a#+!ter 'e$$ to

t!e +ro#n&, !i&in+F O''re& be++e& !er &a#+!ter to be 0#iet, b#t %!e wa% too )o#n+ to #n&er%tan& S!e

remember% bein+ "!)%i-a$$) re%traine& an& wat-!in+ !er &a#+!ter +et &ra++e& awa) 'rom !er

Summary/ Cha(ter 05

A'ter bat!in+ an& eatin+, O''re& m#%t atten& t!e Ceremon) wit! t!e re%t o' t!e !o#%e!o$& T!e

Comman&er i% a$wa)% $ate 'or t!e Ceremon) Serena %it% w!i$e O''re& (nee$% on t!e '$oor Rita,

Cora, an& Ni-( %tan& be!in& O''re& Ni-(4% %!oe to#-!e% O''re&4% S!e %!i't% !er 'oot awa), b#t

!e move% !i% 'oot %o it to#-!e% !er% a+ain A% #%#a$, Serena a$$ow% t!em to wat-! t!e new% w!i$e

t!e) wait Te$evi%ion %tation% 'rom Cana&a are b$o-(e&, an& mo%t o' t!e "ro+rammin+ i% re$i+io#%

T!e new% re"ort% t!at %"ie% were -a#+!t %m#++$in+ 2nationa$ re%o#r-e% a-ro%% t!e bor&er, an&

t!at 'ive K#a(er% !ave been arre%te& T!e new%-a%ter &e-$are% t!at t!e 2re%ett$ement o' t!e

C!i$&ren o' .am i% "ro-ee&in+, wit! t!o#%an&% o' "eo"$e 'or-e& to re%ett$e in t!e Da(ota%

O''re& remember% !ow %!e an&  >#(e "#r-!a%e& 'a(e "a%%"ort% w!en t!e) &e-i&e& to e%-a"e

T!e) to$& t!eir &a#+!ter t!e) were +oin+ on a "i-ni- an& "$anne& to +ive !er a %$ee"in+ "i$$ w!en

t!e) -ro%%e& t!e bor&er %o t!at %!e wo#$& not be 0#e%tione& or +ive t!em awa) T!e) "a-(e&

not!in+ in t!eir -ar be-a#%e t!e) &i& not want to aro#%e %#%"i-ion

Summary/ Cha(ter 04

T!e Comman&er arrive% an& "ro-ee&% to #n$o-( an ornate box .e ta(e% o#t a Bib$e an& rea&% to

ever)one O''re& won&er% w!at it i% $i(e to be a man $i(e !im, %#rro#n&e& b) women w!o wat-!

!i% ever) move T!e Comman&er rea&% "a%%a+e% t!at em"!a%i5e -!i$&bearin+ A% t!e Comman&er 

rea&%, !i% Wi'e be+in% to %ob %o't$) T!e Comman&er rea&% t!e %tor) o' Ra-!e$ an& >ea! 'rom t!e

 boo( o' Gene%i% Ra-!e$ wa% barren, %o %!e #r+e& !er !#%ban& to !ave a -!i$& b) !er mai&,

Bi$!a! At t!e Re& Center, t!i% %tor) wa% &ri$$e& into t!e .an&mai&% D#rin+ $#n-!, t!e) "$a)e&

re-or&in+% o' a ma$e voi-e re-itin+ t!e Beatit#&e%, %o t!e A#nt% wo#$& not !ave to -ommit t!e %in

o' rea&in+ O''re& remember% t!e time w!en Moira &e-i&e& to 'a(e an i$$ne%%, !o"in+ to e%-a"e

 b) bribin+ one o' t!e men in t!e amb#$an-e wit! %ex W!en %!e trie& it on an An+e$, !e re"orte&

!er T!e A#nt% tort#re& Moira b) beatin+ !er 'eet wit! %tee$ -ab$e%, t!e "#ni%!ment 'or a 'ir%t

o''en%e T!e /"#ni%!ment 'or a %e-on& o''en%e wa% beatin+ t!e !an&% A#nt >)&ia remin&e& t!e

women t!at !an&% an& 'eet &i& not matter 'or t!eir "#r"o%e

Analysis/ Cha(ters 02304

7' %ome o' Gi$ea&4% r!etori- borrow% 'rom t!e 'emini%t movement, %ome o' it #tter$) -ontra&i-t%

t!e 'emini%t movement We %ee t!i% w!en O''re& remember% t!e +ro#" ta#ntin+ o' ;anine W!en

;anine te$$% t!e %tor) o' !er +an+/ra"e at t!e a+e o' 'o#rteen, t!e +ro#", at A#nt >)&ia4%

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 "rom"tin+, -!ant% t!at t!e ra"e wa% ;anine4% 'a#$t, t!at %!e $e& t!em on, t!at Go& a$$owe& t!e ra"e

to !a""en in or&er to tea-! ;anine a $e%%on T!e%e %entiment% -ontra%t wit! t!o%e e%"o#%e& b)

'emini%t%, w!o 'i+!t a+ain%t b$amin+ t!e vi-tim o' %ex#a$ vio$en-e an& ar+#e t!at $ea&in+

%omeone on never #%ti'ie% ra"e T!i% in-i&ent a$%o i$$#%trate% t!e wa) Gi$ea& t#rn% women a+ain%t

women Te%ti')in+ i% a "ower'#$ wa) o' brea(in+ women, 'or t!e) are b$ame& not b) t!eir 

o""re%%or%, men, b#t b) t!eir 'e$$ow% in o""re%%ion, women T!e e''e-tivene%% o' t!e +ro#"

-on&emnation be-ome% -$ear w!en O''re& re$ate% t!at t!e next wee(, ;anine %ai& wit!o#t

 "rom"tin+ t!at t!e ra"e wa% !er 'a#$t be-a#%e %!e $e& t!em on T!e%e women are -oer-e& into

-on&emnin+ t!eir "eer, be-a#%e t!e) (now t!e) wi$$ be "#ni%!e& i' t!e) &o not .orrib$),

!owever, t!e) be+in to eno) t!e -on&emnation W!en t!e) -a$$ ;anine a -r)bab), O''re& %a)%,

2We meant it, w!i-! wa% t!e ba& "art T!e) &e%"i%e !er wea(ne%%, an& 'or a moment t!e) tr#$)

 be$ieve t!e i&eo$o+) A#nt >)&ia 'ee&% t!em

T!e bat! %-ene %!ow% #% !ow O''re&4% view o' !er bo&) !a% -!an+e&, an& more +enera$$) !ow

women t!in( o' t!em%e$ve% &i''erent$) in t!e new wor$& Be'ore, O''re&4% bo&) wa% an

2in%tr#ment 'or $ivin+F in Gi$ea& it% on$) im"ortan-e i% a% a 2-$o#&, -on+ea$e& aro#n& !er -entra$

obe-t T!at -entra$ obe-t i% !er womb, w!i-! i% t!e on$) "art o' a woman t!at matter% in

Gi$ea& T!i% i&ea t!at on$) t!e womb matter% +et% rein'or-e& w!en O''re& remember% A#nt

>)&ia4% %a)in+ !an&% an& 'eet are not even ne-e%%ar) 'or .an&mai&% A#nt >)&ia im"$ie% t!at

on$) t!e womb% matter, an& ot!er bo&) "art% -an %a'e$) be '$a)e& an& beaten <ain an& emotion

&o not matterF on$) -!i$&bearin+ &oe%

O''re&4% '$a%!ba-(% -ontin#e to '$e%! o#t t!e %tor) o' !er $i'e be'ore be-omin+ a .an&mai& ew

 "eo"$e a""ear in O''re&4% '$a%!ba-(%:on$) >#(e, Moira, O''re&4% mot!er , an& !er &a#+!ter ma(e

a""earan-e% Ea-! o' t!e%e -!ara-ter% '#$'i$$% a &i''erent !#man nee& Moira %ati%'ie% t!e nee& 'or 

'rien&%!i", O''re&4% mot!er t!e nee& 'or 'ami$), !er &a#+!ter t!e nee& 'or -!i$&ren, >#(e t!e nee&

'or romanti- $ove O''re& m#%t %ati%') !er !#man nee&% a% be%t %!e -an b) $ivin+ "artia$$) in t!e

 "a%t, 'or none o' !er nee&% -an be %ati%'ie& in !er new $i'e

We a$%o $earn more abo#t t!e time be'ore Gi$ea& w!en Serena ;o) t#rn% on t!e new% be'ore t!e

Ceremon) <revio#% -!a"ter% im"$) t!at Gi$ea& i% at war, an& on t!e new% we %ee ima+e% o' t!e

war an& o' %#bver%ive%, an& we !ear re"ort% o' vi-torie% T!e 'a-t o' t!e war i% im"ortant be-a#%e

it %#++e%t% t!at Gi$ea& &oe% not r#$e ever)w!ere:%omew!ere, t!e "o%%ibi$it) o' e%-a"e exi%t%

T!e 'a-t t!at %#bver%ive% exi%t a$%o +ive% !o"eF even i' man) are arre%te&, t!e 'a-t t!at an)one

%ti$$ re%i%t% t!e +overnment i% en-o#ra+in+ T!e new%-a%ter ma(e% re'eren-e to t!e 2C!i$&ren o' 

.am an& t!eir re%ett$ement, w!i-! to#-!e% on t!e %#be-t o' ra-e Ra-i%t i&eo$o+ie% o' t!e

nineteent! -ent#r) o'ten !e$& t!at b$a-(% &e%-en&e& 'rom t!e bib$i-a$ 'i+#re o' .am, w!o wa%

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-#r%e& b) !i% 'at!er, Noa!, an& ma&e to be a %ervant o' !i% brot!er% T!e re%ett$ement o' t!i%

+ro#" -a$$% to min& t!e 'or-e& 2re%ett$ement o' ;ew% in Na5i German), or "ea%ant% in Soviet

R#%%ia an& Comm#ni%t C!ina, e%"e-ia$$) be-a#%e O''re& %a)% no one (now% w!at !a""en% to

t!e%e "eo"$e a'ter t!e) move Atwoo& im"$ie% t!at Gi$ea& !a% revive& t!e ra-i%t i&eo$o+) o' t!e

 "a%t to %e"arate t!e ra-e% on-e an& 'or a$$

T!e Ceremon) revea$% more o' Gi$ea&4% -onne-tion to o#r wor$& an& o#r !i%tor) T!e &e-oration%

in t!e $ivin+ room w!ere t!e Bib$e rea&in+ ta(e% "$a-e:"aintin+% o' women wit! "in-!e& 'a-e%,

-on%tri-te& brea%t%, an& %ti'' mo#t!% an& ba-(%:em"!a%i5e Gi$ea&4% attem"t to re%tore a "re/

'emini%t wor$& T!e Bib$e rea&in+ it%e$' invo$ve% t!e -itation o' an an-ient a#t!orit) to #%ti') t!e

#%e o' .an&mai&% T!e .an&mai&/Comman&er re$ation%!i" i% inten&e& a% a re%"on%e to t!e

emer+en-) -a#%e& b) $ow 'erti$it) rate%, b#t Gi$ea& &oe% not #%ti') it on t!o%e +ro#n&% 7n%tea&,

Gi$ea&4% $ea&er% -$aim t!at it i% "art o' a bib$i-a$$) %an-tione& tra&ition A+ain, Atwoo& im"$ie%

t!at not!in+ abo#t Gi$ea& i% newF it mere$) ta(e% t!rea&% 'rom o#r wor$& an& weave% a new,

o""re%%ive ta"e%tr) o#t o' t!em

C!a"ter% 1*I=1

Summary/ Cha(ter 06

A'ter t!e "ra)er% an& Bib$e rea&in+, t!e Ceremon) -ontin#e% a% #%#a$ 7n t!e be&room, O''re& $ie%

on !er ba-( between Serena4% $e+%, !er !ea& re%tin+ on Serena4% "#bi- bone Serena i% '#$$)

-$ot!e&, w!i$e O''re&4% %(irt i% !i(e& #" an& !er #n&erwear i% o'' T!e two women !o$& !an&%,

an& Serena4% rin+% &i+ into O''re&4% 'in+er% T!e Comman&er  !a% %ex wit! O''re& in a bri%(,

im"er%ona$ 'a%!ion, t!en 5i"% !im%e$' #" an& $eave% t!e room "rom"t$) Serena or&er% O''re& to

$eave, even t!o#+! O''re& i% %#""o%e& to re%t 'or ten min#te% to

im"rove !er -!an-e% o' +ettin+ "re+nant

Summary/ Cha(ter 07

On-e O''re& i% %a'e$) a$one in !er be&room, %!e remove% t!e b#tter 'rom !er %!oe an& #%e% it a% $otion

'or !er %(in be-a#%e $otion an& bea#t) "ro&#-t% are 'orbi&&en to t!e .an&mai&% O''re& -annot %$ee",

%o %!e &e-i&e% to %tea$ %omet!in+ S!e %nea(% &own%tair% an& &e-i&e% to ta(e a &a''o&i$ 'rom a '$ower 

arran+ement S!e want% to "re%% it #n&er !er mattre%% an& $eave it 'or t!e next .an&mai& to 'in& A%

%!e %tan&% in t!e %ittin+ room, %!e %en%e% t!e "re%en-e o' %omeone be!in& !er in t!e room 7t i%  Ni-(

 Neit!er o' t!em are %#""o%e& to be &own%tair% Wor&$e%%$), t!e) (i%%, an& %!e $on+% to !ave %ex wit!

!im ri+!t t!ere S!e t!in(% o' >#(e, te$$in+ !im !e wo#$& #n&er%tan&, t!en t!in(in+ !e wo#$&n4t Sex

i% too &an+ero#%, an& Ni-( an& O''re& %e"arate Ni-( w!i%"er% t!at t!e Comman&er %ent !im to 'in&

!er T!e Comman&er want% to %ee !er in !i% o''i-e tomorrow

Summary/ Cha(ter 08

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A'ter ret#rnin+ to !er room, O''re& $ie% in !er be&, rememberin+ ma(in+ $ove to >#(e w!i$e !er 

 bab) (i-(e& in%i&e !er womb S!e ima+ine% >#(e &ea&, !i% bo&) $)in+ in t!e t!i-(et% w!ere t!e)

were -a#+!t tr)in+ to e%-a"e S!e ima+ine% t!at !e i% in "ri%on S!e a$%o ima+ine% t!at !e ma&e it

%a'e$) a-ro%% t!e bor&er an& t!at one &a) a me%%a+e 'rom !im wi$$ -ome to !er in %ome

#nex"e-te& wa) S!e be$ieve% in t!e%e t!ree %-enario% %im#$taneo#%$), %o t!at not!in+ wi$$

%#r"ri%e !er

Summary/ Cha(ter 09

O''re& &ream% o' -at-!in+ !er &a#+!ter in a !#+, b#t a wave o' %orrow overta(e% !er be-a#%e %!e

(now% t!at %!e i% &reamin+ S!e &ream% o' wa(in+ #" to !er mot!er -arr)in+ in a tra) a 'oo& an&

ta(in+ -are o' !er At brea('a%t, O''re& -ontem"$ate% t!e bea#t) o' a boi$e& e++ in %#n$i+!t T!e

%o#n& o' %iren% interr#"t !er brea('a%tF it i% a Birt!mobi$e, -omin+ to -o$$e-t O''re& an& ta(e !er 

to a birt! ;anine, now (nown a% O'warren, i% abo#t to !ave !er bab)

D#rin+ t!e ri&e to Comman&er Warren4% !o#%e, O''re& won&er% i' ;anine wi$$ +ive birt! to a

&e'orme& -!i$&, an nbab) One in 'o#r women !ave been "oi%one& b) toxin% an& ot!er 

environmenta$ "o$$#tion, w!i-! $ea&% to birt! &e'ormitie% in t!eir -!i$&ren S!e re-a$$% A#nt >)&ia

%a)in+ t!at women w!o &i& not want to !ave babie% "oi%one& t!eir own bo&ie% or +ot t!eir t#be%

tie& S!e -a$$% t!e%e women ;e5ebe$%, %-orner% o' Go&4% +i't% 7n an o$& -$a%%room, A#nt >)&ia

%!owe& t!em a +ra"! o' !ow t!e birt!rate !a& 'a$$en over t!e -o#r%e o' !i%tor), event#a$$) 'a$$in+

 be$ow t!e 2$ine o' re"$a-ement A#nt >)&ia %ai& t!at women w!o &i& not want to bree& were

$a5) %$#t% S!e ex"$ain% !ow m#-! better -!i$&birt! i% in Gi$ea& in -ontra%t to t!e o$& &a)%,

 be-a#%e birt! i% entire$) nat#ra$ Women are not even a$$owe& &r#+% to %oot!e t!eir "ain, be-a#%e

it i% better 'or t!e bab), an& be-a#%e Go& want% women to %#''er &#rin+ -!i$&birt!

T!e Birt!mobi$e arrive% at t!e !ome o' O'warren4% Comman&er, an& t!e .an&mai&% 'i$e in T!en

anot!er Birt!mobi$e "#$$% #", t!e one t!at -arrie% t!e Wive% O''re& ima+ine% t!e Wive% %ittin+ aro#n&

an& ta$(in+ abo#t t!eir .an&mai&%, -a$$in+ t!em %$#t%, -om"$ainin+ abo#t !ow #n-$ean t!e) are

Summary/ Cha(ter 1:

W!i$e O'warren +ive% birt!, t!e Wi'e $ie% in t!e %ittin+ room a% i' %!e i% +ivin+ birt! ;anine $ie%

in t!e ma%ter be&room, an& t!e .an&mai&% +at!er aro#n& t!e be& to wat-! O''re& remember%

!ow t!e A#nt% #%e& to %!ow t!e .an&mai&% "orno+ra"!i- movie% in w!i-! men "ra-ti-e& vio$ent

%ex on women A#nt >)&ia %ai& t!at wa% !ow men t!o#+!t o' women in t!e o$& &a)% One movie

wa% abo#t 2nwomen, 'emini%t% 'rom t!e &a)% be'ore Gi$ea& T!e A#nt% &i& not "$a) t!e

%o#n&tra-(, be-a#%e t!e) &i& not want t!e .an&mai&% to !ear w!at t!e women %ai& 7n one o' 

t!e%e movie%, O''re& %aw !er mot!er a% a )o#n+ woman, mar-!in+ in a 'emini%t ra$$) .er mot!er 

+ave birt! to O''re& in !er $ate t!irtie% an& -!o%e to be a %in+$e mot!er O''re& an& !er mot!er 

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#%e& to 'i+!t, be-a#%e !er mot!er t!o#+!t O''re& &i& not a""re-iate t!e %a-ri'i-e% ear$) 'emini%t%

ma&e in or&er to !e$" t!e next +eneration o' women O''re& wi%!e% %!e -o#$& !ave !er mot!er 

 ba-(, 'i+!t% an& a$$

Summary/ Cha(ter 10

T!e .an&mai&% -!ant to !e$" ;anine +ive birt! One .an&mai& a%(% O''re& i' %!e i% $oo(in+ 'or 

%omeone O''re& &e%-ribe% Moira, an& t!e woman te$$% !er %!e wi$$ (ee" an e)e o#t 'or a woman

o' t!at &e%-ri"tion T!e woman i% $oo(in+ 'or %omeone name& A$ma S!e a%(% O''re& w!at !er 

rea$ name i%, b#t be'ore O''re& -an re"$), t!eir -onver%ation i% -#t %!ort b) a %#%"i-io#% +$an-e

'rom an A#nt w!o !ear& t!e brea( in t!e -!ant ;#%t be'ore t!e -!i$& i% born, ;anine ?O'warren@

an& t!e Wi'e o' Warren %it on t!e Birt!in+ Stoo$ to+et!er T!e Wi'e %it% above ;anine T!e bab) i%

 born a +ir$ wit! no vi%ib$e &e'e-t% Ever)one reoi-e% T!e Wi'e -$imb% into be&, an& t!e bab) i%

+iven to !er T!e ot!er Wive% -row& aro#n&, "#%!in+ t!e .an&mai&% a%i&e, an& t!e Wi'e

anno#n-e% %!e wi$$ name t!e bab) An+e$a A'ter t!e birt!, ;anine wi$$ n#r%e t!e bab) 'or a 'ew

mont!%, an& t!en %!e wi$$ tran%'er to a new Comman&er Sin-e %!e !a% "ro&#-e& a -!i$&, %!e wi$$

never be &e-$are& an nwoman an& %ent to t!e -o$onie%

Analysis/ Cha(ters 06310

O''re&4% &e%-ri"tion o' t!e Ceremon) i% %#""o%e& to be ironi-, !orri')in+, an& '#nn) at t!e %ame

time or a$$ t!e e$aborate -eremonia$ "re"aration% an& t!e %)mbo$i- "o%itionin+ o' t!e bo&ie% o' 

Serena an& O''re&, t!e me-!ani-a$ a-t it%e$' ma(e% t!e %o$emnit) %eem ri&i-#$o#% O''re&,

%ear-!in+ 'or t!e be%t wor&, &e'ine% t!e Ceremon) a% '#-(in+ rat!er t!an %ex S!e -annot -a$$ it

ma(in+ $ove or -o"#$atin+, be-a#%e t!at wo#$& im"$) t!at %!e eno)e& or too( "art in t!e a-t An&

%!e -annot -a$$ it ra"e, %!e ex"$ain%, be-a#%e %!e wa% +iven a -!oi-e an& %!e -!o%e to be a

.an&mai& T!e Comman&er !a% %ex a% i' "er'ormin+ a %$i+!t$) borin+ &#t)F O''re& m#%t +rit !er 

teet! an& &eta-! !er%e$' 'rom t!e %it#ationF Serena ;o), an+ere&, +ri"% O''re& %o !ar& t!at !er 

rin+% -#t into O''re&4% !an& T!i% %ex i% %o %-ri"te&, 'orma$, an& anon)mo#% t!at no one ta(e% an)

 "$ea%#re in it O''re& %a)% %ex now i% %im"$) 'or t!e "#r"o%e o' re"ro&#-tion, an& not!in+ more

T!e !#%t$e an& b#%t$e %#rro#n&in+ O'warren4% $abor rein'or-e% t!e im"ortan-e o' "re+nan-) in

Gi$ea& Birt!, now a rare event, !a% be-ome a o)'#$ -omm#nit) +at!erin+ 'or t!e women

.owever, t!i% o) i% tem"ere& b) t!e 'ear o' +ivin+ birt! to a &e'orme& or &e'e-tive in'ant:a

're0#ent o#t-ome a% a re%#$t o' wi&e%"rea& "o$$#tion T!e%e &e'orme& in'ant% are -a$$e&

2nbabie%, a name t!at %#++e%t% %o-iet) &oe% not -on%i&er t!em !#man% T!o%e w!o &o not 'it

into t!e Gi$ea&ean wor$&view are -on%i&ere& not mere$) &an+ero#% or evi$ b#t a-t#a$$) non/

!#man Si+ni'i-ant$), t!e 2#n "re'ix i% a$%o atta-!e& to 'ormer 'emini%t%, -a$$e& 2nwomen,

w!o are %ent to Gi$ea&4% 'eare& Co$onie% Atwoo& a%%o-iate% Gi$e&ean% wit! ;o%e"! Sta$in an&

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.it$er, w!o &e!#mani5e& mi&&$e/-$a%% "ea%ant% an& ;ew% in or&er to #%ti') (i$$in+ t!em

>an+#a+e, in a tota$itarian %tate, i% a #%e'#$ too$ o' o""re%%ion

A#nt >)&ia &emon%trate% !ow t!e "atriar-!a$ %tr#-t#re o' Gi$ia& borrow% 'rom an& "ervert% t!e

i&ea% o' t!e women4% movement S!e te$$% t!e women o' t!eir terrib$e "$i+!t in t!e o$& wor$&,

w!en men t!o#+!t o' women a% %ex obe-t% or a% rea&) vi-tim% o' %ex#a$ vio$en-e Some

'emini%t% &o o""o%e "orno+ra"!i- 'i$m% on t!e%e +ro#n&%, %a)in+ t!at t!e 'i$m% obe-ti') women

an& +$ori') vio$en-e a+ain%t women T!e) %a) "orno+ra"!i- 'i$m%, $i(e &ome%ti- an& %ex#a$

vio$en-e o' a$$ (in&%, %tem 'rom t!e $e+a-) o' "atriar-!a$ o""re%%ion A#nt >)&ia an& Gi$ea& a+ree

wit! t!i% -on&emnation o' %ex#a$ vio$en-e a+ain%t women, b#t, in -ontra%t to t!e 'emini%t%, t!e)

t!in( a "atriar-!a$ %o-iet) -an e''e-tive$) "rote-t women 'rom vio$en-e T!e) %eem to !ave a

va$i& "oint in Gi$ea&, women are not #&+e& b) t!eir bo&ie%, -at-a$$e&, or atta-(e& B#t t!i%

%a'et) -ome% at a "ri-e Women ma) not be ra"e& b) %tran+er% in Gi$ea&, b#t t!e) m#%t %#bmit to

%tate/%an-tione& ra"e b) t!e Comman&er% Sex#a$ $ove an& romanti- $ove &o not exi%t 'or t!em

An& t!e "ri-e o' t!i% %a'et) i% t!e tota$ 'or'eit o' -ontro$ over t!eir bo&ie%

C!a"ter% ==I=

Summary/ Cha(ter 11

Drivin+ ba-( 'rom t!e birt!, O''re&  remember% Moira4% e%-a"e 'rom t!e Re& Center Moira

-a#%e& a toi$et to over'$ow, an& w!i$e A#nt E$i5abet! trie& to 'ix it, Moira abbe& a meta$ obe-t

into A#nt E$i5abet!4% rib% an& 'or-e& !er into t!e '#rna-e room T!e obe-t wa% a $on+ $ever 'rom

t!e toi$et, b#t A#nt E$i5abet! t!o#+!t it wa% a (ni'e A'ter ex-!an+in+ -$ot!in+ wit! A#nt

E$i5abet! an& t)in+ !er #", Moira bo$&$) wa$(e& o#t o' t!e -enter #%in+ A#nt E$i5abet!4% "a%% No

one !a% %een Moira or !ear& 'rom !er %in-e t!en

Summary/ Cha(ter 12

At !ome, O''re& te$$%  Cora  abo#t t!e -!i$&, an& t!e Mart!a ex"re%%e% !er !o"e t!at 2t!e)

?meanin+ O''re&@ wi$$ !ave a -!i$& %oon T!at ni+!t, O''re& %nea(% o#t o' !er room an& meet% t!e

Comman&er in !i% o''i-e S!e bra-e% !er%e$' 'or a 'or-e& "!)%i-a$ a&van-e 7' Serena were to

&i%-over t!at O''re& wa% wit! t!e Comman&er in !i% %t#&), %!e -o#$& be %ent to t!e Co$onie% a%

an nwoman B#t i' %!e were to re'#%e t!e Comman&er, t!ere -o#$& be even more &ire

-on%e0#en-e%, be-a#%e !e !a% t!e rea$ "ower in t!e !o#%e!o$& O''re& e)e% t!e wa$$% o' t!e %t#&),

w!i-! are 'i$$e& wit! boo(% T!e Comman&er +reet% !er in t!e o$& wa), b) %a)in+ 2.e$$o, an&

O''re& &oe%n4t (now !ow to re"$) To !er %#r"ri%e, t!e Comman&er mere$) a%(% !er to "$a) a

+ame o' S-rabb$e T!i% i% 'orbi&&en, %in-e an) (in& o' rea&in+ i% 'orbi&&en to women T!e) "$a)

two +ame%, an& t!e +ame 'ee$% $#x#rio#% to O''re& A% %!e i% abo#t to $eave, t!e Comman&er a%(%

!er 'or a (i%% S!e ima+ine% -omin+ to !i% %t#&) a+ain wit! a "ie-e o' meta$ 'rom t!e toi$et, a%

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Moira &i&, "#ttin+ !er arm% aro#n& !im an& (i$$in+ !im S!e (i%%e% !im, an& !e %a)% %a&$) !e

wante& !er to (i%% !im 2La% i' %!e meant it4

Summary/ Cha(ter 15

 How eas% i! is !o inven! a hmani!%, "or an%one a! all. Wha! an available !em$!a!ion.

/*ee +m$or!an! 0o!a!ions E#$lained  

A'ter $eavin+ t!e Comman&er an& ret#rnin+ to !er room, O''re& &e-i&e% %!e !a% to 'or+et !er o$&

name an& !er "a%tF %!e nee&% to $ive in t!e "re%ent an& wor( wit!in it% r#$e% T!e Comman&er4%

#nort!o&ox be!avior a$$ow% !er a -!an-e to +et %omet!in+ 'rom !im S!e remember% t!at

#n&erneat! a$$ o' A#nt >)&ia4% %"ee-!e%, t!e rea$ me%%a+e %eeme& to be t!at men are 2%ex

ma-!ine% an& %!o#$& be mani"#$ate& wit! %ex

O''re& re-a$$% a &o-#mentar) abo#t t!e .o$o-a#%t in w!i-! t!e 'ormer mi%tre%% o' one o' t!e Na5i

+#ar&% wa% interviewe& O''re&4% mot!er  $i(e& to wat-! %#-! !i%tori-a$ "ro+ram%, an& a$wa)%

ex"$aine& t!em -are'#$$) to O''re&, even w!en %!e wa% too )o#n+ to #n&er%tan& T!e +#ar&4%

mi%tre%% &enie& (nowin+ abo#t t!e &eat! -am"% an& maintaine& t!at t!e +#ar&, !er $over, wa% not

a mon%ter O''re& remember% t!at t!e woman -ommitte& %#i-i&e #%t &a)% a'ter t!e interview

S#&&en$), %ittin+ on !er be& an& #n&re%%in+, O''re& 'in&% t!e event% o' t!e ni+!t in-re&ib$) '#nn)

>a#+!ter t!reaten% to er#"t, an& %!e %tr#++$e% to (ee" it &own 7n t!e &ar(, %!e %t#mb$e% into t!e

-$o%et ?%!e a$%o -a$$% it a -#"boar&@, w!ere t!e >atin "!ra%e noli!e !e bas!ardes (arborndorm i%

written S!e 'a$$% a%$ee" on t!e '$oor wit! !er !ea& re%tin+ in t!e -$o%et

Summary/ Cha(ter 14

7n t!e mornin+, Cora 'in&% O''re& %$ee"in+ on t!e '$oor, an& %!e %-ream% an& &ro"% t!e brea('a%t

tra), %!atterin+ t!e &i%!e% O''re& te$$% Cora %!e 'ainte& Cora -over% 'or !er an& te$$% Rita t!at %!e

&ro""e& t!e tra) b) a--i&ent

S"rin+ +ive% wa) to %#mmer, an& O''re& -ontin#e% to meet t!e Comman&er in !i% o''i-e at ni+!t

T!e) &eve$o" a %)%tem o' %i+na$% %o t!at Serena wi$$ not rea$i5e w!at i% +oin+ on 7'  Ni-( i%

 "o$i%!in+ t!e -ar !at$e%%, or !at a%(ew, t!e Comman&er want% O''re& to -ome %ee !im Sometime%

%!e -annot +o be-a#%e Serena i% (nittin+ in t!e %ittin+ room Ot!er time%, Serena +oe% o#t to vi%it

ot!er Wive% w!en t!e) are %i-(, or 'ei+nin+ i$$ne%% T!e Wive% ta(e t#rn% bein+ %i-(F O''re&

t!in(% it a&&% intere%t to t!eir $ive% Ot!er women, t!e Mart!a% an& t!e .an&mai&%, -annot a''or&

to be %i-(, be-a#%e t!e %i-( an& o$& mi+!t be %ent awa) to t!e Co$onie% O''re& %a)% t!at %!e %ee%

no o$& women, a$t!o#+! no one rea$$) (now% w!ere t!e) +o

T!e Comman&er &oe% not ma(e an) '#rt!er "!)%i-a$ a&van-e% towar& O''re& T!e) "$a)

S-rabb$e, an& !e a$$ow% !er to $oo( at an o$& -o") o' Voge. T!e women in t!e ma+a5ine remin&

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!er o' "rin-e% or "irate% On t!e t!ir& ni+!t %!e a%(% t!e Comman&er 'or %ome !an& $otion .e

$a#+!% w!en O''re& te$$% !im t!e .an&mai&% #%e b#tter to (ee" t!eir %(in moi%t, w!i-! in'#riate%

!er S!e $eave% t!e $otion in !i% o''i-e %o t!at it wi$$ not be 'o#n& in !er room

Analysis/ Cha(ters 11314

T!e %tor) o' Moira4% e%-a"e ma(e% !er a %)mbo$ o' rebe$$ion an& re%i%tan-e 'or t!e .an&mai&% S!e i%

t!e on$) woman in t!e nove$ w!o &are% to re%i%t Gi$ea& &ire-t$) S!e $a-(% t!e %tren+t! o' !er 

o""re%%or%, b#t %!e ma(e% #" 'or it wit! !er re%o#r-e'#$ne%% an& -annine%% .er e%-a"e 'rom t!e Re&

Center i% a ma%ter"ie-e o' -$ever "$annin+ an& brava&o Moira4% ex-!an+e o' -$ot!in+ wit! A#nt

E$i5abet! i% an im"ortant %)mbo$i- +e%t#reF Gi$ea& #%e% -$ot!in+ to &e'ine ran(, an& b) %tea$in+ t!e

A#nt4% !i+!/ran(in+ #ni'orm, Moira %tri(e% a b$ow a+ain%t Gi$ea&4% attem"t to &e'ine !er i&entit)

T!e Comman&er, t!e on$) maor ma$e -!ara-ter in t!e nove$, embo&ie% Gi$ea&4% "atriar-!) .i%

-!ara-ter be-ome% '$e%!e& o#t a% O''re& be+in% to vi%it !im in !i% %t#&) .er 'ir%t im"re%%ion% %#r"ri%e

#%F we ex"e-t t!e Comman&er to be!ave -r#e$$), b#t !e %eem% a$mo%t $i(ab$e >i(e t!e women, !e

%eem% to be a "ri%oner o' Gi$ea&, %tarve& 'or +en#ine !#man -onta-t .e be!ave% in a %!), -o#rt$)

'a%!ion aro#n& O''re&, -are'#$ not to ma(e #nrea%onab$e &eman&% or intimi&ate !er .e %eem% to want

!er to $i(e !im, an& even to 'ee$ attra-te& to !im, w!i-! ex"$ain% !i% wi%t'#$ &i%a""ointment at t!e

-o$&ne%% o' !er (i%% O''re& 'in&% !er%e$' $i(in+ !im in %"ite o' !er%e$'

$timate$), !owever, t!e "rob$em% o' !i% $i'e %eem $a#+!ab$e -om"are& to t!e "rob$em% o' O''re&4%

T!o#+! (in&, t!e Comman&er %ti$$ wor(% a% an en'or-er o' t!e r#$e% o' t!e tota$itarian %tate

#rt!ermore, it %eem% !e !a% no tr#e #n&er%tan&in+ o' t!e "$i+!t o' women .e $a#+!% at O''re&4%

a&mi%%ion t!at .an&mai&% "#t b#tter on t!eir !an&%:t!eir in+en#it) "$ea%e% !im .e &oe% not

#n&er%tan& t!e !#mi$iation o' t!e%e women, treate& $i(e anima$% or babie%, 'or-e& to !i&e %-ra"% o' 

t!eir own &inner, &enie& t!e tinie%t $#x#rie% .e &oe% not even #n&er%tan& t!at t!eir room% are

%ear-!e&, t!at t!e) $ive #n&er -on%tant %-r#tin) an& !ave no "riva-) w!at%oever O''re&4% memor) o' 

t!e &o-#mentar) abo#t t!e Na5i +#ar& an& !i% mi%tre%% -reate% an obvio#% "ara$$e$ to !er %it#ation wit!

t!e Comman&er T!e Comman&er i% a !#man bein+, an& $i(e a$$ !#man bein+% !e i% not "#re evi$ B#t

t!en, neit!er were t!e Na5i% "#re evi$ 2.e wa% not a mon%ter, to !er, O''re& %a)% a% %!e t!in(% o' t!e

-on-entration -am" +#ar& an& !i% mi%tre%% 2<robab$) !e !a& %ome en&earin+ trait .ow ea%) it i% to

invent a !#manit), 'or an)one at a$$ T!e Comman&er i% !#man, even en&earin+, b#t !e nevert!e$e%%

 bear% re%"on%ibi$it) 'or t!e mon%tro#% wor$& o' Gi$ea&

C!a"ter% =*I=8

Summary/ Cha(ter 16

 Now t!at O''re& !a% a 'rien&%!i" wit! t!e Comman&er , %!e 'ee$% embarra%%e& abo#t !avin+ %ex

wit! !im &#rin+ t!e Ceremon) O''re& %ti$$ !ate% Serena, b#t %!e a$%o 'ee$% ea$o#% o' !er, an&

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+#i$t), %in-e %!e rea$i5e% t!at %!e i% now t!e Comman&er4% mi%tre%% &e%"ite t!e ab%en-e o' an)

-overt %ex#a$ a-tivit) between t!em 7' Serena were to 'in& o#t w!at wa% +oin+ on, %!e -o#$&

ex"e$ O''re& On-e, t!e Comman&er a$mo%t to#-!e% O''re&4% 'a-e &#rin+ t!e Ceremon), an& %!e

$ater te$$% !im never to to#-! !er be-a#%e Serena -o#$& tran%'er !er to t!e Co$onie% .e %a)% !e

'in&% %ex im"er%ona$, an& %!e a%(% !im !ow $on+ it too( !im to 'i+#re t!at o#t S!e i% be-omin+

more -om'ortab$e wit! !im O''re& remember% A#nt >)&ia te$$in+ t!e .an&mai&% t!at t!e

 "o"#$ation wo#$& event#a$$) rea-! an a--e"tab$e $eve$, at w!i-! "oint t!e .an&mai&% wo#$& $ive

in on$) one !o#%e!o$&, in%tea& o' +ettin+ tran%'erre&, an& .an&mai&% wo#$& be-ome $i(e

&a#+!ter% to t!e Wive%

Summary/ Cha(ter 17

O'+$en an& O''re&, now more -om'ortab$e wit! one anot!er, -ontin#e to ma(e t!eir %!o""in+

tri"% T!e 'i%! %tore, >oave% an& i%!e%, rare$) o"en% now, be-a#%e t!e %ea% !ave be-ome %o

 "o$$#te& t!at 'ew 'i%! %ti$$ $ive in t!em T!e) -ontin#e to vi%it t!e Wa$$, an& O''re& won&er% i' 

>#(e i% im"ri%one& be!in& t!e Wa$$ in t!e "$a-e t!at #%e& to be a #niver%it) an& now %erve% a% a

&etention -enter On one o' t!eir ret#rn tri"%, O'+$en an& O''re& %to" at a %tore -a$$e& So#$ S-ro$$%

7n%i&e, !#mmin+ ma-!ine% "rint "ra)er% Man) o' t!e Wive% "!one in or&er% 'or "ra)er% in or&er 

to %i+na$ t!eir "iet) A'ter t!e "ra)er% are "rinte&, t!e "a"er i% re-)-$e& an& #%e& a+ain

S#&&en$), O'+$en w!i%"er% to O''re&, a%(in+ !er w!et!er %!e be$ieve% Go& a-t#a$$) $i%ten% to t!e

ma-!ine% O'+$en4% 0#e%tion i% trea%ono#%, b#t O''re& &e-i&e% to tr#%t O'+$en an& an%wer%, 2No

T!e two women rea$i5e t!e) -an tr#%t one anot!er O''re& i% tremen&o#%$) ex-ite& S!e $earn% t!at

O'+$en i% "art o' a +ro#" o' %#bver%ive% A% t!e) wa$( !ome, a &ar( b$a-( van "ainte& wit! a

w!ite/win+e& e)e, t!e %)mbo$ o' t!e E)e%, %to"% abr#"t$) O''re& t!in(% "er!a"% !er -onver%ation

wit! O'+$en wa% re-or&e&, b#t t!e two E)e% w!o #m" o#t +rab a man -arr)in+ a brie'-a%e T!e)

&ra+ !im into t!e ve!i-$e an& &rive awa), an& O''re& 'ee$% tremen&o#% re$ie'

Summary/ Cha(ter 18

O''re& re-a$$% !ow Moira &i%a""rove& o' !er a''air wit! >#(e, %a)in+ t!at O''re& wa% "oa-!in+

on anot!er woman4% "ro"ert) We $earn t!at Moira wa% a $e%bian O''re& a--#%e& Moira o' 

 "oa-!in+ women, an& Moira %a)% it i% &i''erent wit! women 7t i% !ot in O''re&4% room, an& %!e

!a% been +iven a 'an S!e m#%e% t!at i' %!e were Moira, %!e wo#$& (now !ow to ta(e t!e 'an a"art

an& #%e t!e b$a&e% a% a wea"on S!e t!in(% o' !ow %tran+e it now %eem% to !er t!at women #%e&

to !ave ob%

O''re& remember% t!e 'a$$ o' t!e nite& State% an& t!e -reation o' Gi$ea& ir%t, t!e "re%i&ent wa%

%!ot an& Con+re%% wa% ma-!ine/+#nne&F t!en t!e arm) &e-$are& a %tate o' emer+en-), te$$in+

ever)one to remain -a$m 7%$ami- 'anati-% were 'a$%e$) b$ame& 'or t!e /exe-#tion o' t!e entire

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+overnment T!e Con%tit#tion wa% %#%"en&e& 7n %!o-(, "eo"$e %ta)e& at !ome an& wat-!e& t!eir 

te$evi%ion% At t!i% "oint, Moira warne& O''re& t!at %omet!in+ terrib$e wa% +oin+ to !a""en

S$ow$), t!e new%"a"er% were -en%ore& an& roa&b$o-(% a""eare&, an& %oon ever)one !a& to -arr)

an 7&enti"a%% T!ere wa% a -ra-(&own on %m#t o' a$$ (in&% t!e 2<ornomart% %!#t &own, an& t!e

2ee$%/on/W!ee$% van% an& 2B#n/&$e B#++ie% &i%a""eare&

7n O''re&4% "re/Gi$ea& &a)%, "a"er mone) !a& been re"$a-e& b) Com"#-ar&% t!at a--e%%e& ban( 

a--o#nt% &ire-t$) One &a) a'ter t!e 'a$$ o' t!e +overnment, O''re& trie& to #%e !er Com"#-ar& in

t!e $o-a$ %tore, an& !er n#mber wa% &e-$are& inva$i& S!e went to !er ob at t!e $ibrar), "!one&

!er ban(, an& +ot a re-or&in+ %tatin+ t!at t!e $ine% were over$oa&e& >ater t!at a'ternoon, !er bo%%

a""eare& $oo(in+ &i%!eve$e& an& &i%tra#+!t .e to$& O''re& an& !er 'ema$e -owor(er% t!at !e !a&

to 'ire t!em, be-a#%e it wa% t!e $aw T!e women !a& to $eave wit!in ten min#te% Two men

wearin+ arm) #ni'orm% an& -arr)in+ ma-!ine +#n% wat-!e& over t!e "ro-e&#re

W!en %!e rea-!e& !er !ome, O''re& -a$$e& Moira an& $earne& t!at women -o#$& no $on+er $e+a$$)

wor( or !o$& "ro"ert) T!eir ban( a--o#nt% were tran%'erre& to t!eir !#%ban&% or t!e neare%t ma$e

'ami$) member >#(e trie& to -on%o$e !er, b#t O''re& won&ere& i' !e wa% a$rea&) "atroni5in+ !er

S!e rea$i5e% t!at t!e arm) men %!e %aw were not member% o' t!e nite& State% arm) T!e) were

wearin+ &i''erent #ni'orm% 7n t!e wee(% an& mont!% t!at 'o$$owe&, t!ere were "rote%t% an&

mar-!e%, b#t t!e arm) -ra-(e& &own !ar& on &i%%ent an& t!e "rote%tin+ %to""e& O''re& an& >#(e

never oine& an) o' t!e "rote%t%, be-a#%e t!e) were a'rai& 'or t!eir $ive% an& 'or t!e $i'e o' t!eir 

&a#+!ter Rememberin+ t!e mar-!e% ma(e% O''re& remember ear$ier "rote%t% in w!i-! !er mot!er 

wa% invo$ve& S!e remember% bein+ an a&o$e%-ent an& bein+ a%!ame& o' !er mot!er4% a-tivi%m

>oo(in+ o#t !er win&ow, O''re& %ee% Ni-(  -ome into t!e )ar& an& noti-e% t!at !i% !at i% a%(ew

S!e won&er%, i&$), w!at !e +et% o#t o' 'a-i$itatin+ !er 'orbi&&en $iai%on% wit! t!e Comman&er,

an& %!e remember% t!eir '$eetin+ (i%% in t!e &ar(ene& $ivin+ room T!en %!e remember% !ow t!e

ni+!t a'ter %!e $o%t !er ob, >#(e wante& to ma(e $ove, b#t O''re& 'e$t #n-om'ortab$e, be-a#%e t!e

 ba$an-e o' "ower !a& %!i'te& %#bt$) T!e) no $on+er be$on+e& to ea-! ot!erF in%tea&, %!e be$on+e&

to !im S!e t!o#+!t "er!a"% !e $i(e& t!e 'a-t t!at %!e be$on+e& to !im Now %!e want% to (now

w!et!er %!e wa% ri+!t

Analysis/ Cha(ters 16318

O'+$en "rovi&e% O''re& wit! !o"e S!e i% a 'rien& wit! w!om %!e -an ta$( an& a -onne-tion to t!e

re%i%tan-e movement Atwoo& #xta"o%e% O''re&4% %#&&en %en%e o' !o"e wit! an imme&iate remin&er 

o' t!e "ower o' t!e Gi$ea&ean %tate t!e two .an&mai&% witne%% t!e E)e% %ei5e a man an& &ra+ !im

o'' A+ain%t t!i% &i%"$a) o' t!e %tate4% rea-!, t!e i&ea o' a re%i%tan-e %eem% $a#+!ab$e

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O''re&4% exten&e& '$a%!ba-( "rovi&e% an ex"$anation o' !ow Gi$ea& wa% -reate& T!e "re/Gi$ea&

nite& State% i% o#r wor$& in t!e near '#t#re:a$$ mone) !a% been -om"#teri5e&, an& "orno+ra"!)

an& "ro%tit#tion !ave be-ome more a--e"te& an& avai$ab$e O''re& mention% 2<ornomart% an&

2ee$%/on/W!ee$% a% i' t!e term% nee&e& no ex"$anation, $eavin+ t!e &etai$% to t!e ima+ination

 b#t -onve)in+ a %en%e o' a %o-iet) more %ex#a$$) $iberate& t!an o#r own T!e extent o' t!i% %ex#a$

$iberation ma) "rom"t t!e extremi%m o' t!e -on%ervative ba-($a%! O''re& mention% 2"orn riot%

an& 2abortion riot% t!at ta(e "$a-e be'ore Gi$ea&:t!e -on%ervative "re-#r%or to t!e #"ri%in+

a+ain%t t!e $ibera$ +overnment 7n t!e e"i$o+#e, an ex"ert on Gi$ea&4% !i%tor) %a)% it% 'o#n&er%

#%e& a 2C7A "am"!$et on t!e &e%tabi$i5ation o' 'orei+n +overnment% a% a %trate+i- !an&boo( to

to""$e t!e S +overnment ir%t, +overnmenta$ o''i-ia$% are a%%a%%inate&F t!en martia$ $aw i%

&e-$are& 2tem"orari$)F 'ina$$), t!e new re+ime -on%o$i&ate% it% "ower an& %0#a%!e% &i%%ent

7n O''re&4% te$$in+, t!ere i% $itt$e re%i%tan-e to t!e new re+ime, even a'ter it &i%en'ran-!i%e% women

an& %tri"% t!em o' t!eir ob% T!i% ma) be inten&e& a% a -on&emnation o' t!e -om"$a-en-) o' 

or&inar) "eo"$e in time% o' -ri%i%, or o' t!e -om"$a-en-) Atwoo& %aw at t!e time %!e wrote t!e

nove$ <re/Gi$ea& %o-iet) %eem% more 'ra#+!t wit! +en&er ten%ion%, an& t!e%e ma) "$a) a ro$e in

t!e %tran+e rea-tion o' t!e women W!en O''re& $o%e% !er ob an& !er mone), >#(e &oe% not

ex"re%% o#tra+eF !e te$$% !er not to worr) an& "romi%e% to ta(e -are o' !er >ater, &#rin+ mar-!e%,

!e te$$% !er t!at it wo#$& be 2'#ti$e to mar-! an& t!at %!e nee&% to t!in( abo#t !im an& t!eir 

&a#+!ter Ever)t!in+ we (now o' >#(e %#++e%t% t!at !e i% a &e-ent man, b#t !e i% wi$$in+ to +o

a$on+ wit! t!i% o""re%%ion o' women Gi$ea& re/e%tab$i%!e% t!e o$& "attern% o' "atriar-!), an&

>#(e %$i"% ba-( into t!o%e "attern%, "romi%in+ to 2ta(e -are o' O''re& in%tea& o' 'i+!tin+ 'or !er 

ri+!t% Women a$%o bear b$ame t!e) &o not re%"on& to t!e o#tra+e% a+ain%t 'emini%m wit! ra+e or 

a-tion, b#t wit! $a%%it#&e O''re& &oe%n4t (now or remember t!e &etai$% o' t!e -o#" T!i%

i+noran-e, in !er an& in ot!er women, ma) !ave been t!e 'ai$#re Women too( 'or +rante& t!e

+ain% o' 'emini%m an& t!e +overnment4% "rote-tion o' t!e ri+!t% o' women, an& %o $o%t t!em a$$

C!a"ter% =9I3=

Summary/ Cha(ter 19

T!e Comman&er an& O''re& !ave be-ome more in'orma$ wit! one anot!er A'ter a +ame o' 

S-rabb$e, !e o''er% !er a ma+a5ine a% #%#a$, b#t %!e want% to ta$( in%tea& S!e trie% to +et

in'ormation abo#t !im, b#t !e +ive% !er va+#e an%wer% T!en %!e a%(% !im w!at t!e >atin "!ra%e

in !er room mean% T!e Comman&er tran%$ate% it a% 2&on4t $et t!e ba%tar&% +rin& )o# &own, an&

ex"$ain% t!at t!e "!ra%e i% a %-!oo$bo) o(e O''re& +#e%%e% t!at t!e 'ormer .an&mai& m#%t !ave

$earne& t!e "!ra%e 'rom !im an& %-rat-!e& it into t!e '$oor S!e a%(% w!at !a""ene& to t!at

.an&mai& T!e Comman&er re"$ie% t!at Serena &i%-overe& t!eir ni+!ttime $iai%on%, an& t!e

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The $roblem wasn’! onl% wi!h !he women, he sa%s. The main $roblem was wi!h !he men. There

was no!hing "or !hem an%more.

/*ee +m$or!an! 0o!a!ions E#$lained  

O''re& -on%i&er% eatin+ t!e -i+arette $itt$e b) $itt$e 'or t!e ni-otine r#%! an& %avin+ t!e mat-! to b#rn &own t!e !o#%e T!e Comman&er !a% ta(en to &rin(in+ &#rin+ !i% evenin+% wit! O''re&

O'+$en %a)% O''re&4% Comman&er i% !i+! in t!e -!ain o' "ower One ni+!t !e ex"$ain% t!at in t!e

o$& wor$&, be'ore Gi$ea&, t!ere wa% not!in+ 'or men to &o wit! women an)more:not!in+ to

%tr#++$e 'or, not!in+ to !o$& t!eir intere%t Men #%e& to -om"$ain t!at t!e) 'e$t not!in+ .e a%(%

w!at %!e t!in(% o' Gi$ea& O''re& trie% to em"t) !er min&F %!e -annot +ive !er rea$ o"inion S!e

&oe% not an%wer, b#t !e -an 'ee$ !er #n!a""ine%% 2o# -an4t ma(e an ome$ette wit!o#t brea(in+

e++%, !e %a)% 2We t!o#+!t we -o#$& &o better

Analysis/ Cha(ters 19321Even be'ore %!e (new w!at it meant, O''re& -!eri%!e& t!e >atin %-raw$ noli!es !e bas!ardes

(arborndorm a% a -onne-tion between !er an& t!e "revio#% .an&mai&, an& a% a %)mbo$ o' !er 

re%i%tan-e to Gi$ea& Now, t!an(% to t!e Comman&er, %!e $earn% t!at it mean% 2&on4t $et t!e ba%tar&%

+rin& )o# &own:an a""ro"riate re%"on%e to a tota$itarian, "atriar-!a$ %o-iet) O''re& an& t!e ot!er 

.an&mai&% m#%t %tr#++$e to !o$& on to t!eir !#manit), an& to re%i%t t!eir o""re%%or% T!e tran%$ation o' 

t!e "!ra%e i% not an entire$) o)o#% moment, !owever, 'or it %i+na$% to O''re& t!at %omeone -ame to t!e

Comman&er4% %t#&) be'ore !er 7t i% not -$ear w!et!er t!i% #"%et% !er be-a#%e %!e 'ee$% ea$o#% o' !er 

-onne-tion wit! t!e Comman&er, or be-a#%e %!e worrie% abo#t t!e 'ate o' t!e .an&mai& be'ore !erT!e Comman&er4% -omment% an& reve$ation% &#rin+ !i% evenin+% wit! O''re& -a%t !im in an

in-rea%in+$) #n'$atterin+ $i+!t .i% a&mi%%ion t!at t!e "revio#% .an&mai& a$%o ma&e 'orbi&&en,

-$an&e%tine vi%it% to !i% %t#&), an& t!at %!e !an+e& !er%e$' a'ter Serena 'o#n& o#t, ma(e% !im

%eem %e$'i%! an& obt#%e .e not on$) evin-e% no -on-ern over t!e %#i-i&e o' t!e .an&mai&F !e

%eem% #n'a5e& b) t!e "o%%ibi$it) t!at Serena mi+!t &i%-over O''re&4% vi%it% too .e re-o+ni5e%

t!at !e i% "#ttin+ O''re&4% "o%ition an& "o%%ib$) !er $i'e at ri%( in or&er to %ati%') !i% &e%ire 'or a

$itt$e bit o' intima-), b#t !e &oe% not %eem to -are

T!e Comman&er4% ex"$anation o' t!e rea%onin+ em"$o)e& b) t!e 'o#n&er% o' Gi$ea& %!ow% t!e 'o#n&er%

to be e0#a$$) %e$'i%! .e te$$% O''re& t!at men in t!e o$& wor$& 'o#n& ever)t!in+ too ea%), too avai$ab$e: 

e%"e-ia$$) women an& %ex Gi$ea&, 'rom t!e Comman&er4% "oint o' view, !a% re%tore& meanin+ to men4%

$ive% .e in%i%t% t!at it !a% ma&e t!em 2'ee$ a+ain et !e &oe% not rea$i5e t!at %#-! 'ee$in+ -ome% at t!e

 "ri-e o' !#man mi%er), w!i-! i% borne b) t!e women o' Gi$ea& W!en O''re& won&er% !ow !e -an

ima+ine Gi$ea& to be better t!an t!e o$& wor$&, t!e Comman&er -a$$o#%$) re"$ie% t!at 2better a$wa)%

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mean% wor%e, 'or %ome T!e Comman&er t!in(% !e !a% ma&e men !a""ier an& more '#$'i$$e& 7' t!at

mean% t!at $i'e i% +!a%t$) an& o""re%%ive 'or women, %o be it

W!i$e t!e Comman&er $oo(% -o$&er an& -r#e$er in t!e%e -!a"ter%, Serena ;o) brie'$) -ome% a-ro%%

a%, i' not (in&, t!en at $ea%t wi$$in+ to -on%i&er O''re& a 'e$$ow !#man bein+ Serena4% %#++e%tion

t!at !er !#%ban& i% %teri$e e%tab$i%!e% a brie' moment o' #nit) between t!e two women, a+ain%t

t!e Comman&er an& t!e ot!er men o' Gi$&ea&, w!o re'#%e to a-(now$e&+e t!at men -an be

%teri$e et Serena4% o''er to !e$" O''re& +et "re+nant, even t!o#+! it i% a (in& re0#e%t be-a#%e it

wi$$ (ee" O''re& 'rom t!e Co$onie%, i% a$%o a %e$'i%! one, %in-e it i% Serena an& not O''re& w!o

wi$$ rai%e t!e -!i$& An& Serena4% o''er to +et a "!oto o' O''re&4% &a#+!ter revea$% t!at Serena !a%

(nown w!ere t!e +ir$ i% a$$ a$on+ b#t !a% never mentione& !er or +iven O''re& new% o' !er A+ain,

t!e -r#e$t) o' women to ot!er women in Gi$ea& "rove% a% ba& a%, i' not wor%e t!an, an)t!in+ t!e

men in'$i-t on women

T!e tri" to t!e Wa$$ -reate% an ex"$i-it "ara$$e$ between Gi$ea& an& Na5i German) We !ave

a$rea&) %een t!at Gi$ea&, $i(e t!e Na5i%, "er%e-#te% Cat!o$i-%, exe-#te% !omo%ex#a$% ?2+en&er 

traitor%@, an& "ra-ti-e% ra-i%mF now we %ee t!at it i% anti/Semiti- a% we$$ O''re& &e%-ribe%

Gi$ea&4% anti/;ewi%! $aw%, w!i-! "rovi&e 'or &e"ortation, an& t!en -reate an 7n0#i%ition/%t)$e

atmo%"!ere 'or t!o%e w!o remain an& &o not -onvert

C!a"ter% 33I3*

Summary/ Cha(ter 22

O'+$en an& O''re& atten& a 2<ra)va+an5a wit! t!e ot!er women o' t!eir &i%tri-t, !e$& in w!at

#%e& to be a #niver%it) b#i$&in+ T!e Wive% %it in one %e-tion wit! t!eir &a#+!ter%, t!e Mart!a%

an& E-onowive% %it in anot!er, an& t!e .an&mai&% (nee$ in a %e-tion -or&one& o'' b) ro"e%

;anine  wa$(% in wit! a new Wi'e, an& O'+$en w!i%"er% t!at ;anine4% bab) wa% &e'orme&, a

2%!re&&er a'ter a$$ S!e a&&% t!at ;anine %$e"t wit! a &o-tor to +et "re+nant O''re& remember% a

%tran+e e"i%o&e in t!e Re& Center w!en ;anine %at on !er be& %tarin+ o'' into %"a-e, %"ea(in+ to

an invi%ib$e -#%tomer in a re%ta#rant w!ere %!e wor(e& be'ore Gi$ea& Moira %$a""e& ;anine an&

%!o#te& #nti$ ;anine -ame ba-( to !er %en%e%

Summary/ Cha(ter 25

Women4% <ra)va+an5a% are we&&in+% 'or t!e Wive%4 &a#+!ter%, ma%% -eremonie% in w!i-! +ir$% a%

)o#n+ a% 'o#rteen +et marrie& 7n a 'ew )ear%, t!e bri&e% wi$$ be +ir$% w!o &o not remember $i'e be'ore

Gi$ea& O''re& remember% a -onver%ation wit! t!e Comman&er, in w!i-! !e in%i%te& t!at w!i$e Gi$ea&

!a% ta(en awa) %ome 'ree&om, it !a% +#arantee& women %a'et) an& &i+nit) Now a$$ women !ave

%"o#%e%, an& t!e) are not $e't a$one to -are 'or -!i$&ren, beaten, or 'or-e& to wor( i' t!e) &o not want to

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T!e) -an 2'#$'i$$ t!eir /bio$o+i-a$ &e%tinie% in "ea-e O''re& note& t!at t!e) &o not a$$ow $ove, b#t t!e

Comman&er re"$ie& t!at arran+e& marria+e% wor( better t!an 'a$$in+ in $ove

A$t!o#+! women4% <ra)va+an5a% #%#a$$) -e$ebrate +ro#" we&&in+% an& men4% -e$ebrate mi$itar)

vi-torie%, %ometime% t!e <ra)va+an5a% -e$ebrate Cat!o$i- n#n% w!o -onvert to t!e %tate re$i+ion W!en

t!e a#t!oritie% o' Gi$ea& -at-!e% Cat!o$i- n#n%, t!e) tort#re t!em T!e) %en& o$& one% &ire-t$) to t!e

Co$onie%, b#t )o#n+ one% ma) -!oo%e between t!e Co$onie% an& -onver%ion 7' t!e) -onvert, t!e n#n%

 be-ome .an&mai&%, b#t man) -!oo%e t!e Co$onie%

T!e we&&in+ -eremon) +oe% on, an& O''re& remember% !ow A#nt >)&ia a$wa)% %ai& t!at t!e rea$ +oa$ o' 

Gi$ea& i% to -reate -amara&erie between women A'ter t!e %ervi-e%, O'+$en w!i%"er% t!at t!e %#bver%ive%

(now %!e %ee% t!e Comman&er in "rivate S!e #r+e% O''re& to 'in& o#t ever)t!in+ %!e -an

Summary/ Cha(ter 24

O''re&4% t!o#+!t% ret#rn, a+ain%t !er wi$$, to t!e &a) %!e an& >#(e trie& to e%-a"e Gi$ea& T!e)

rea-!e& t!e bor&er an& +ave t!e +#ar& t!eir "a%%"ort%, w!i-! %ai& t!at >#(e !a& never been

&ivor-e& >#(e %aw t!e +#ar& "i-( #" t!e "!one T!e) %"e& awa) in t!e -ar, an& t!en +ot o#t an&

trie& to r#n t!ro#+! t!e woo&% O''re& %!a(e% o'' t!e%e memorie% an& trie% to remember $ove an&

!ow it 'e$t to be in $ove:!ow !ar& it wa%, an& !ow "re-io#%, an& !ow "eo"$e &e'ine& t!eir $ive%

aro#n& it T!in(in+ t!at >#(e m#%t be &ea&, %!e be+in% to -r) >ater t!at ni+!t, Serena %!ow%

O''re& a "!oto+ra"! o' !er &a#+!ter 7n t!e "!oto, %!e wear% a w!ite &re%% an& %mi$e% O''re&

%en%e% t!at !er &a#+!ter !ar&$) remember% !er T!i% tear% at !er !eart

Summary/ Cha(ter 26

W!en O''re& +oe% to %ee t!e Comman&er t!at ni+!t, !e %eem% &r#n( .e %"ea(% "$a)'#$$) wit!

!er an& +ive% !er a %(im") o#t'it &e-orate& wit! 'eat!er% an& %e0#in% .e want% to ta(e !er o#t,

!e -$aim%, #%in+ an ex"re%%ion 'rom "re/Gi$ea& &a)%F %!e a+ree% to +o S!e &on% t!e -o%t#me an&

 "#t% -!ea" ma(e#" on !er 'a-e S!e wear% one o' Serena4% b$#e winter -$oa(% w!en !e e%-ort% !er 

o#t o' t!e !o#%e Ni-( i% waitin+ 'or t!em in t!e -ar, an& t!e) &rive t!ro#+! &ar(ene& -it) %treet%

O''re& !i&e% on t!e '$oor w!en t!e) "a%% t!e +atewa) O''re& 'in&% !er%e$' worr)in+ abo#t Ni-(4%

o"inion o' !er T!e -ar %to"% in an a$$e), an& t!e Comman&er !e$"% O''re& o#t o' t!e robe .e

o"en% a &oor wit! a (e) an& %$i"% a "#r"$e ta+ aro#n& O''re&4% wri%t, in%tr#-tin+ !er to te$$ an)one

w!o a%(% t!at %!e i% an 2evenin+ renta$ A% O''re& enter% t!e b#i$&in+, %!e ima+ine% Moira

-a$$in+ !er an i&iot 'or +oin+ a$on+ wit! t!i%

Analysis/ Cha(ters 22;26

T!e wor& <ra)va+an5a -ombine% 2"ra) wit! 2extrava+an5a, an& em"!a%i5e% t!at in t!e new

or&er, "ra)er %erve% a "#b$i-, %tate '#n-tion C!#r-! an& %tate, 'ar 'rom bein+ %e"arate&, ma(e #"

one entit) <ra)er i% no $on+er a "rivate matter, b#t a "#b$i- %"e-ta-$e an& an a-t o' "atrioti-

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'ervor T!e banner t!at !an+% over t!e <ra)va+an5a %#m% #" t!e new -!#r-!/%tate re$ation%!i" 7t

rea&% 2Go& i% a Nationa$ Re%o#r-e

W!en t!e Comman&er #%ti'ie% t!e marria+e "ro-e%% in Gi$ea&, !e o''er% a -om"e$$in+ -riti0#e o' t!e o$&

or&er ?an& -on%e0#ent$) o' o#r %o-iet)@ A+ain #%in+ 'emini%t r!etori-, !e ma(e% %evera$ va$i& "oint%

%o-iet) %!o#$& not 'or-e women to %"en& t!eir entire "a)-!e-( on &a) -are, it %!o#$& va$#e t!e wor( o' 

mot!erin+, it %!o#$& not a$$ow 'at!er% to r#n o'' an& aban&on -!i$&ren, it %!o#$& not a$$ow &ome%ti-

ab#%e 7n Gi$ea&, none o' t!e%e -on&ition% o''i-ia$$) exi%t Sti$$, O''re& &e'$ate% t!e Comman&er4%

ar+#ment b) "ointin+ o#t t!e im"ortan-e o' $ove S!e "oint% o#t t!at %#-! a %-!eme, w!i$e removin+

%ome #n-ertaint) an& #n!a""ine%%, $eave% o#t t!e "o%%ibi$it) o' 'ree&om Arran+e& marria+e% are, b)

&e'inition, t!e o""o%ite o' 'ree -!oi-e Roman-e, t!o#+! #n-ertain, i% an #$timate ex"re%%ion o' t!e %o#$4%

$ibert), t!e $ibert) to -!oo%e w!om to $ove

T!e Comman&er -omment% in C!a"ter 3= t!at men -o#$& not 'ee$ be'ore Gi$ea&, b#t it %eem% t!at 'or 

O''re&, Gi$ea& era%e% t!e abi$it) to 'ee$ 7n &e"rivin+ !er an& ot!er women o' t!e o""ort#nit) to be in

$ove, Gi$ea& am"#tate% t!eir abi$it) to 'ee$ A'ter t!e <ra)va+an5a, O''re& t!in(% o' !ow $ove 'e$t an& i%

over-ome b) a wave o' %tron+ emotion S!e -an on$) -$in+ to !er memorie% o' >#(e an& w!at $ovin+

!im 'e$t $i(e S!e re'$e-t% t!at t!e next +eneration wi$$ !ave no %#-! memorie% T!i% a''irm% A#nt >)&ia4%

%ini%ter -omment t!at Gi$&ea& wi$$ event#a$$) 2be-ome or&inar) Atwoo& %#++e%t% t!at t!i% -$o%in+ o' 

t!e !ori5on i% t!e &ar( "ower o' a tota$itarian %o-iet) On-e "eo"$e -annot ima+ine an)t!in+ ot!er t!an

o""re%%ion, o""re%%ion be-ome% or&inar)

Atwoo& &raw% a "ara$$e$ between t!e n#n% 'or-e& to be-ome .an&mai&% an& t!e .an&mai&%

t!em%e$ve% T!e .an&mai&% re%emb$e n#n% bot! +ro#"% are -$oi%tere&, -on%e-rate& to a re$i+io#%

&#t), an& re0#ire& to wear $on+ +arment% re'erre& to a% 2!abit% B#t w!erea% n#n% vow to remain

-e$ibate an& %erve Go& b) i+norin+ t!eir 'erti$it) an& t!eir %ex#a$ #r+e%, .an&mai&%4 %o$e re$i+io#%

an& %o-ia$ &#t) i% to re"ro&#-e A--or&in+ to t!e wor$&view o' Gi$ea&, n#n% "o%e a +reater t!reat

to t!e tota$itarian or&er t!an &ivor-e& women or women w!o !ave "remarita$ %ex T!e women in

t!e $atter +ro#"% are %im"$) be!avin+ immora$$), b#t t!e n#n% are ta(in+ t!em%e$ve% o#t o' t!e

%ex#a$ wor$& entire$) Sin-e Gi$ea& i% b#i$t on %ex#a$ -ontro$, t!e a&o"tion o' a -e$ibate $i'e i% t!e

#$timate ree-tion o' t!e tota$itarian or&er

C!a"ter% 36I

Summary/ Cha(ter 27

T!e Comman&er ta(e% O''re& to an o$& !ote$ t!at O''re& remember% 'rom "re/Gi$ea& &a)%, w!en %!e

o'ten met  >#(e t!ere 7n t!e -entra$ -o#rt)ar&, O''re& %ee% women &re%%e& in +a#&) an& revea$in+

-$ot!in+ 'rom t!e "a%t T!e women min+$e wit! im"ortant, "ower'#$ men O''re& rea$i5e% %!e %!o#$&

%ta) 0#iet an& $oo( &#mb S!e %en%e% t!at t!e Comman&er $i(e% %!owin+ !er o'' an& eno)% %!owin+

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o'' 'or !er .e ex"$ain% t!at 2t!e -$#b i% o''i-ia$$) 'orbi&&en, b#t t!at ever)one (now% t!at to be

%ati%'ie&, men re0#ire a variet) o' women Some o' t!e women were "ro%tit#te% be'ore Gi$ea& Ot!er%,

on-e $aw)er%, %o-io$o+i%t%, an& b#%ine%%women, "re'er t#rnin+ tri-(% in t!e -$#b to a $i'e in t!e

Co$onie% or a% a .an&mai& S#&&en$) O''re& %"ot% Moira in t!e -row& Moira wear% an i$$//'ittin+

<$a)bo) b#nn) -o%t#me S!e t#rn% an& %ee% O''re& T!e) "reten& not to re-o+ni5e one anot!er, an&

t!en Moira +ive% t!e o$& %i+na$ to meet !er in t!e wa%!room

Summary/ Cha(ter 28

ive min#te% $ater, O''re& ma(e% !er wa) to t!e wa%!room A &re%%e&/#" A#nt %tan&in+ +#ar&

wit! a -att$e "ro& te$$% !er %!e !a% 'i'teen min#te% O''re& meet% Moira in%i&e an& ex"$ain% t!at

t!e Comman&er %m#++$e& !er into t!e -$#b #%t 'or t!e ni+!t Moira te$$% !er own %tor) A'ter 

e%-a"in+ 'rom t!e Re& Center, %!e ma&e !er wa) to t!e -enter o' town in A#nt E$i5abet!4% -$ot!e%

an& went to t!e !ome o' a K#a(er -o#"$e invo$ve& in t!e re%i%tan-e S!e %a)% at t!at time t!e

+enera$ "#b$i- &i& not (now abo#t t!e Re& Center be-a#%e t!e a#t!oritie% o' Gi$ea& 'eare& "eo"$e

wo#$& obe-t at 'ir%t T!e K#a(er% "#t !er on t!e n&er+ro#n& ema$eroa&, a %)%tem 'or +ettin+

women to %a'et) T!e) trie& to %m#++$e !er o#t o' t!e -o#ntr), b#t #%t a% Moira wa% $eavin+ t!e

'ina$ %a'e !o#%e to %$i" a-ro%% t!e bor&er in a boat, %!e wa% -a#+!t T!e E)e% tort#re& !er an&

%!owe& !er movie% o' t!e Co$onie%, w!ere o$& women an& %#bver%ive% -$ean #" ra&ioa-tive %"i$$%

an& &ea& bo&ie% 'rom t!e war, an& t!e $i'e ex"e-tan-) i% t!ree )ear% Moira -!o%e to wor( a% a

 "ro%tit#te in t!e -$#b, w!i-! i% ni-(name& 2;e5ebe$4%, rat!er t!an +o to t!e Co$onie% O''re& i%

&i%a""ointe& to !ear t!e 'ata$i%m in Moira4% voi-e:Moira re%i+ne&$) te$$% O''re& %!e %!o#$& tr)

to wor( at t!e -$#b, w!ere t!e) +et t!ree or 'o#r )ear% to $ive, an& 'a-e -ream O''re& mi%%e% t!e

o$& Moira w!o wa% %o %"irite& an& '#$$ o' rebe$$ion A'ter %!e $eave% t!e -$#b, %!e never %ee%

Moira a+ain

Summary/ Cha(ter 29

T!e Comman&er ta(e% O''re& to a !ote$ room, w!i-! remin&% !er o' !er a''air wit! >#(e S!e

ex-#%e% !er%e$' to +o to t!e bat!room S!e !ear% toi$et% '$#%!in+ in ot!er room% an& 'ee$%

-om'orte&, t!in(in+ o' t!e #niver%a$it) o' bo&i$) '#n-tion% S!e t!in(% abo#t Moira an& !er 

mot!er 7n t!e wa%!room, Moira %ai& t!at %!e %aw O''re&4% mot!er  in one o' t!e 'i$m% abo#t t!e

Co$onie% O''re& !a& a%%#me& !er mot!er wa% &ea& O''re& remember% +oin+ to !er mot!er4%

a"artment wit! >#(e &#rin+ t!e ear$) &a)% o' Gi$ea&F %!e 'o#n& t!e "$a-e in &i%arra) an& !er 

mot!er +one >#(e to$& !er not to -a$$ t!e "o$i-e, %a)in+ it wo#$&n4t &o an) +oo& S!e remember%

!ow m#-! %"irit !er mot!er #%e& to !ave, b#t %!e rea$i5e% t!at t!e Co$onie% m#%t !ave %tri""e& it

awa) T!e Comman&er i% $)in+ on t!e be& waitin+ 'or !er w!en %!e exit% t!e bat!room .e %eem%

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&i%a""ointe& t!at %!e i% not ex-ite& abo#t a rea$ %ex#a$ en-o#nter .e $oo(% %ma$$er an& o$&er 

wit!o#t !i% -$ot!in+ O''re& 'ee$% no ex-itement an& %i$ent$) or&er% !er%e$' to 'a(e it

Summary/ Cha(ter 5:

Ba-( in !er room at t!e Comman&er4% !o#%e, O''re& !a% remove& !er ma(e#" an& "#t on !er 

.an&mai& -$ot!e% Serena "$an% to meet !er at mi&ni+!t to ta(e !er to  Ni-( %o t!at O''re& an&

 Ni-( -an !ave %ex 7n t!e mi&&$e o' t!e ni+!t, Serena -ome% an& te$$% O''re& to +o to Ni-(4%

a"artment Serena wi$$ wait 'or O''re& to ret#rn

O''re& twi-e te$$% t!e %tor) o' w!at !a""en% next T!e 'ir%t %tor), t!i-( wit! "a%%ion an& &e%ire, i%

to$& in t!e breat!) $an+#a+e o' a roman-e nove$ T!e %e-on&, "robab$) more a--#rate, i%

aw(war&, #n-ertain, an& '#$$ o' %a&ne%% 'or t!e $o%t -o#rt%!i" rit#a$% o' t!e "re/Gi$ea& wor$& 2No

roman-e o(a)J Ni-( %a)% be'ore t!e) be+in O''re& ta(e% "$ea%#re in t!e a-t t!i% time O''re&

%a)% t!at neit!er o' t!e ver%ion% i% -om"$ete$) a--#rate, t!at ever) %tor) i% b) nat#re a

re-on%tr#-tion A'ter %$ee"in+ wit! Ni-(, %!e 'ee$% a%!ame& S!e 'ee$% %!e betra)e& >#(e an&

won&er% i' %!e wo#$& 'ee$ &i''erent$) i' %!e (new >#(e wa% &ea&

Analysis/ Cha(ters 2835:

Atwoo& %#++e%t% t!at "atriar-!a$ %o-ietie% ten& to &ivi&e women into two t)"e% t!e vir+in an& t!e

w!ore 7n Gi$ea&, t!e vir+ina$ women are t!e near$) %ex$e%% Wive% an& &a#+!ter%, t!e invi%ib$e

Mart!a%, an& t!e !o$) .an&mai&%:a$$ o' w!o%e %ex#a$ $ive% are ti+!t$) re%tri-te& T!e w!ore%

are t!e "ro%tit#te% at ;e5ebe$4% ;e5ebe$, 'or w!om t!e men4% -$#b i% name&, wa% an evi$ O$&

Te%tament 0#een, +#i$t) o' ever) %ort o' &e"ravit), w!o -ame to %)mbo$i5e t!e "rotot)"i-a$$)

vi-io#% woman in t!e ;#&eo/C!ri%tian ima+ination T!e men o' Gi$ea& a&mit to no mi&&$e +ro#n&

or +ra) area between vir+in an& w!ore

T!e -$#b ex"o%e% t!e !)"o-ri%) o' t!e "ower'#$ men w!o "rate abo#t %ex#a$ mora$it) an& t!en

%"en& t!eir evenin+% &a$$)in+ wit! "ro%tit#te% O''i-ia$$), Gi$ea& &raw% it% i&eo$o+) 'rom t!e O$&

Te%tament ?it war"% t!e O$& Te%tament in or&er to %#it it% i&ea%@ an& w!o$$) ree-t% mo&ern

%-ien-e et to #%ti') ;e5ebe$4% exi%ten-e, t!e Comman&er %nat-!e% at t!e r!etori- o' $ate/

twentiet!/-ent#r) evo$#tionar) "%)-!o$o+i%t%, $e-t#rin+ O''re& on !ow men nee& m#$ti"$e %ex#a$

 "artner% be-a#%e 2Nat#re &eman&% variet) it4% "art o' t!e "ro-reationa$ %trate+) T!e

Comman&er% "i-( an& -!oo%e 'rom ear$ier tra&ition% a% t!e) "$ea%e T!e O$& Te%tament i% #%e'#$

'or %#b#+atin+ women, b#t mo&ern %o-iobio$o+) "rovi&e% #%ti'i-ation 'or t!eir own

 "!i$an&erin+

D#rin+ !er en-o#nter wit! Moira, O''re& $earn% t!at t!e %"irit o' !er mot!er an& t!at o' Moira,

 bot! 'i+#re% o' tran%+re%%ion an& re%i%tan-e, !ave been bro(en At t!e Re& Center, Moira wa% an

i-on w!o%e a-tion% %#++e%te& t!at 'i+!tin+ Gi$ea& wa% "o%%ib$e O''re&4% mot!er, a 'emini%t an& a

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 "o$iti-a$ a-tivi%t, embo&ie& ever)t!in+ t!at Gi$ea& -on&emn% A$t!o#+! O''re& on-e too( 'or 

+rante& t!e 'ree&om% !er mot!er4% +eneration 'o#+!t 'or, now, tra""e& in Gi$ea&, %!e rea$i5e% t!at

!er mot!er wa% $i(e Moira, an embo&iment o' re%i%tan-e to t!e re+ime At ;e5ebe$4%, Moira %a)%

%!e i% re%i+ne& to !er 'ate S!e %eem% $i%t$e%% an& tra""e& 7n%tea& o' embo&)in+ &e'ian-e, Moira

now embo&ie% Gi$ea&4% abi$it) to -r#%! even t!e %tron+e%t %"irit W!en O''re& $earn% t!at !er 

mot!er went to t!e Co$onie%, %!e (now% !er mot!er wi$$ not !ave an) %tren+t! $e't 'or re%i%tan-e,

even i' %!e i% %ti$$ a$ive On$) one '$a%! o' !o"e $i+!t% #" Moira4% narrative !er &e%-ri"tion o' t!e

n&er+ro#n& ema$eroa&, an #n&er+ro#n& networ( wor(in+ to %m#++$e women o#t o' Gi$ea& 7t%

name re'eren-e% t!e n&er+ro#n& Rai$roa&, w!i-! tran%"orte& e%-a"e& %$ave% 'rom %a'e !o#%e to

%a'e !o#%e in t!e &a)% be'ore t!e Civi$ War in t!e nite& State% T!e 'a-t t!at %#-! a networ( 

exi%t% +ive% #% t!e %en%e t!at even i' Moira !er%e$' !a% +iven #" !o"e, t!e %tr#++$e a+ain%t Gi$ea&

 "re%%e% on

Atwoo& #xta"o%e% O''re&4% %ex#a$ en-o#nter% wit! t!e Comman&er an& wit! Ni-( to !i+!$i+!t

t!e &i''eren-e between 'or-e& %ex an& %ex b) -!oi-e W!i$e t!e Comman&er !a% %ex wit! !er,

O''re& -annot m#%ter an) "a%%ion .er "a%%ivit) &i%a""oint% t!e Comman&er, w!o %eem% to want

roman-e an& "a%%ion &e%"ite !i% "rai%e 'or arran+e& marria+e% Atwoo&4% nove$ %#++e%t% t!at

O''re& -annot +ive !im "a%%ion be-a#%e %!e %$ee"% wit! !im a+ain%t !er wi$$, an& roman-e

re0#ire% t!e exer-i%e o' 'ree wi$$ Be-a#%e Gi$ea& o#t$aw% t!e 'ree&om e%%entia$ to "a%%ion, t!e

Comman&er -annot -a$$ it into bein+ to %#it !i% w!im% O''re& an& Ni-(4% -o#"$in+, on t!e ot!er 

!an&, !a% a %"ar(, a %en%e o' &e%ire O''re& narrate% t!e %-ene in an e$e+ia- tone, &e"i-tin+ !er %ex

wit! Ni-( a% an a-t o' mo#rnin+ 'or t!e vani%!e& wor$& o' roman-e an& -o#rt%!i" an& $ove .i%

re0#e%t, 2no roman-e, remin&% t!em o' w!at t!e) -annot !ave

C!a"ter% 1I

Summary/ Cha(ter 50

O''re& te$$% !er ima+ine& $i%tener t!at !er %tor) i% a$mo%t too "ain'#$ to bear, b#t t!at %!e nee&% to

+o on te$$in+ it be-a#%e it wi$$% !er $i%tener into bein+ S!e ma) be a&&re%%in+ t!e rea&er, or %!e

ma) be a&&re%%in+ >#(eF %!e %a)% %!e want% to !ear !er $i%tener4% %tor) too, i' !er $i%tener 

e%-a"e% O''re& %a)% %!e -ontin#e% to %ee Ni-(  at ni+!t wit!o#t Serena4% (now$e&+e S!e 'ee$%

t!an('#$ ea-! time !e o"en% t!e &oor to !er .e never %a)% m#-!, b#t %!e 'in&% !er%e$' te$$in+ !im

abo#t Moira an&  O'+$en S!e te$$% !im !er rea$ name S!e never mention% >#(e Event#a$$), %!e

te$$% !im %!e t!in(% %!e i% "re+nant, a$t!o#+! "rivate$) %!e 'ee$% t!i% i% wi%!'#$ t!in(in+ D#rin+

t!eir %!o""in+ tri"%, O'+$en "re%%#re% O''re& to brea( into t!e Comman&er 4% o''i-e S!e want%

O''re& to 'in& o#t w!at !e rea$$) &oe%, w!at re%"on%ibi$itie% !e !a% B#t O''re& now t#ne% o#t

O'+$en an& %"en&% !er time t!in(in+ abo#t Ni-(

=

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Summary/ Cha(ter 51

A women4% 2Sa$va+in+, or $ar+e/%-a$e exe-#tion, i% !e$& in w!at #%e& to be .arvar& ar& A$$ t!e

women in t!e &i%tri-t m#%t atten& On t!e $awn in 'ront o' t!e 'ormer $ibrar) %it% a %ta+e $i(e t!e

one #%e& 'or -ommen-ement in "re/Gi$ea& &a)% A#nt >)&ia %it% on t!e %ta+e, %#"ervi%in+ t!e

!an+in+% 7t i% t!e 'ir%t time O''re& !a% %een A#nt >)&ia %in-e $eavin+ t!e Re& Center A#nt >)&ia

anno#n-e% t!at t!e) !ave &e-i&e& to &i%-ontin#e anno#n-in+ t!e -rime% o' t!e -onvi-te& be-a#%e

it %"ar(% -o")-at -rime% T!e .an&mai&% are &i%ma)e&F t!e -rime% +ive t!em !o"e b) %!owin+

t!em t!at women -an %ti$$ re%i%t T!ree women are !an+e&, two .an&mai&% an& one Wi'e O''re&

%"e-#$ate% t!at t!e .an&mai& trie& to (i$$ !er Comman&er4% Wi'e S!e %a)% Wive% +et %a$va+e&

'or on$) t!ree t!in+% (i$$in+ a .an&mai&, a&#$ter), or attem"te& e%-a"e T!e .an&mai&% m#%t

 "$a-e t!eir !an&% on a $on+ ro"e a% t!e women !an+, in or&er to %!ow t!eir -on%ent to t!e

%a$va+in+

Summary/ Cha(ter 52

A'ter t!e !an+in+, A#nt >)&ia in%tr#-t% t!e .an&mai&% to 'orm a -ir-$e A 'ew o' t!e ot!er women

$eave, b#t mo%t Wive% an& &a#+!ter% %ta) to wat-! T!en two G#ar&ian% &ra+ a t!ir& G#ar&ian to

t!e 'ront .e i% &i%!eve$e& an& %me$$% o' ex-rement .e $oo(% &r#n( or &r#++e& A#nt >)&ia

anno#n-e% t!at !e an& anot!er G#ar&ian !ave been -onvi-te& o' ra"e .i% "artner wa% %!ot

a$rea&), b#t t!i% man !a% been %ave& 'or t!e .an&mai&%, w!o wi$$ ta(e "art in w!at i% -a$$e& a

2<arti-i-#tion A#nt >)&ia a&&% t!at one o' t!e two .an&mai&% invo$ve& wa% "re+nant an& $o%t

t!e bab) in t!e atta-( A wave o' raw '#r) -o#r%e% t!ro#+! t!e -row&F O''re& 'ee$% b$oo&$#%t

a$on+ wit! t!e ot!er% A#nt >)&ia b$ow% a w!i%t$e, an& t!e .an&mai&% -$o%e in on t!e man,

(i-(in+ an& beatin+ !im to a b$oo&) "#$" O'+$en &a%!e% in 'ir%t an& (i-(% !i% !ea& %evera$ time%

A'terwar&, &i%+#%te& wit! !er 'rien&, O''re& a%(% O'+$en w!) %!e &i& it O'+$en w!i%"er% t!at t!e

%#""o%e& ra"i%t wa% "art o' t!e #n&er+ro#n& rebe$$ion, an& %!e wante& to "#t !im o#t o' !i%

mi%er) 0#i-($) O''re& %ee% ;anine -arr)in+ a b$oo&) -$#m" o' !air .er e)e% $oo( va-ant, an& %!e

 babb$e% %ome -!eer'#$ +reetin+% 'rom t!e time be'ore Gi$ea& O''re& a&mit%, a%!ame&, t!at %!e

'ee$% +reat !#n+er

Summary/ Cha(ter 55

Soon a'ter t!e Sa$va+in+, O''re& +oe% o#t 'or a %!o""in+ tri", -om'orte& b) t!e or&inarine%% o' 

t!e ro#tine To !er &i%ma), t!e .an&mai& w!o meet% !er i% not O'+$en W!en O''re& a%(% !er 

w!ere O'+$en went, t!e woman re"$ie%, 27 am O'+$en Sin-e t!i% new .an&mai& now $ive% wit!

t!e Comman&er name& G$en, !er name be-ome% O'+$en O''re& rea$i5e% !ow women +et $o%t in

t!i% o-ean o' '$#-t#atin+ name% Tr)in+ to %ee i' t!e new woman be$on+% to t!e re%i%tan-e, O''re&

%#++e%t% t!e) +o to t!e Wa$$ A% t!e) wa$( t!ere, O''re& wor(% t!e "a%%wor& 2Ma)&a) into t!e

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-onver%ation b) mentionin+ t!e o$& !o$i&a) o' 2Ma) Da) T!e new O'+$en $oo(% at !er -oo$$)

an& te$$% !er t!at %!e %!o#$& 'or+et %#-! 2e-!oe% 'rom t!e o$& wor$& Terri'ie&, O''re& rea$i5e%

t!at t!e new O'+$en (now% abo#t t!e re%i%tan-e an& &oe% not be$on+ to it S!e %#&&en$) ima+ine%

!er%e$' 'o#n& o#t an& arre%te& S!e t!in(% t!at "er!a"% t!e) wi$$ tort#re !er &a#+!ter #nti$ %!e

te$$% t!em ever)t!in+ %!e (now% S!e an& t!e new, trea-!ero#% O'+$en wa$( !ome A% t!e) "art,

t!e new O'+$en %#&&en$) w!i%"er% t!at t!e o$& O'+$en !an+e& !er%e$' w!en %!e %aw t!e van

-omin+ to arre%t !er 247t wa% better,4 %!e %a)%, an& t!en wa$(% 0#i-($) awa)

Analysis/ Cha(ters 50355

A% %oon a% %!e be+in% !er a''air wit! Ni-(, O''re& %$i"% into -om"$a-en-), %!owin+ !ow it i% t!at

o""re%%ive re+ime% $i(e Gi$ea& -ome to "ower an& %#rvive #n-!a$$en+e& w!en t!eir %#be-t% be-ome

$i%t$e%% O''re& remember% !er mot!er %a)in+ t!at "eo"$e -an +row a--#%tome& to a$mo%t an)t!in+ 2a%

$on+ a% t!ere are a 'ew -om"en%ation%, an& O''re&4% re$ation%!i" wit! Ni-( %!ow% t!e tr#t! o' t!i%

in%i+!t O''re&4% %it#ation re%tri-t% !er !orrib$) -om"are& to t!e 'ree&om !er 'ormer $i'e a$$owe&, b#t

!er re$ation%!i" wit! Ni-( a$$ow% !er to re-$aim t!e tinie%t 'ra+ment o' !er 'ormer exi%ten-e T!e

 "!)%i-a$ a''e-tion an& -om"anion%!i" be-ome% a -om"en%ation t!at ma(e% t!e re%tri-tion% a$mo%t

 bearab$e O''re& %eem% %#&&en$) %o -ontent t!at t!e i&ea o' -!an+e, embo&ie& in t!e &eman&% t!at

O'+$en ma(e% o' !er, be-ome% too &i''i-#$t to -ontem"$ate T!e Sa$va+in+ %!a(e% O''re&, !owever,

an& !er -om"$a-en-) %!atter% w!en O'+$en &i%a""ear% an& a %ini%ter, -on'ormi%t woman ta(e% !er 

 "$a-e D#rin+ t!i% -$ima-ti- %!o""in+ tri", t!e !orror o' $ivin+ in a tota$itarian %tate rea%%ert% it%e$', an&

event% be+in to r#%! towar& t!e nove$4% -on-$#%ion

T!e 2Sa$va+in+ an& it% a'termat! %!ow Gi$ea& at it% mo%t -r#e$ 7t i% #n-$ear w!) t!e exe-#tion

i% -a$$e& a %a$va+in+, a wor& t!at mean% 2%avin+ <er!a"% t!e name re'er% to t!e %o-iet) at $ar+e,

w!i-! i% %ave& 'rom t!e "otentia$ t!reat "o%e& b) t!e o''en&er% w!en t!o%e o''en&er% are !an+e&

>e%% ambi+#o#% i% t!e meanin+ o' t!e 2"arti-i-#tion, a term &erive& b) -ombinin+ t!e wor&%

2"arti-i"ation an& 2exe-#tion A% it% et)mo$o+) %#++e%t%, t!e "arti-i-#tion i% an exe-#tion

-arrie& o#t b) a +ro#" 7t% &e%i+n %!ow% t!e -$everne%% o' Gi$ea&ean tota$itariani%m, %in-e it

 "rovi&e% bot! a +r#e%ome &eat! 'or traitor% an& &i%-o#ra+e% ot!er rebe$%, w!o 'a-e t!e "o%%ibi$it)

o' &)in+ at t!e !an&% o' t!o%e t!e) were tr)in+ to !e$" 7t% main '#n-tion, t!o#+!, i% to "rovi&e an

o#t$et 'or t!e ra+e an& !atre& t!at t!e .an&mai&% !arbor towar& t!e men w!o o""re%% t!em Even

 be'ore A#nt >)&ia anno#n-e% t!e +#i$t) G#ar&ian4% -rime, a 2m#rm#r o' rea&ine%% an& an+er

 b#i$&% amon+ t!e .an&mai&% T!e) b#r%t wit! 'r#%tration an& an+er at t!eir re"re%%e& exi%ten-e,

an& "er!a"% at t!eir inabi$it) to -on-eive -!i$&ren Wit!o#t o#t$et% 'or women4% emotion%, Gi$ea&

'a-e% t!e &an+er o' a %#&&en #"!eava$ B) a$$owin+ t!em to "arti-i"ate in t!e G#ar&ian4%

exe-#tion, Gi$ea& -!anne$% t!e .an&mai&%4 an+er onto a %in+$e man, w!o %erve% a% a %-a"e+oat

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'or ever)one e$%e T!e man i% "re%ente& a% a ra"i%t o' .an&mai&% w!o -a#%e& a mi%-arria+e,

meanin+ t!at not on$) &oe% !e %#++e%t t!e %an-tione& ra"e o' t!e .an&mai&% b) t!e Comman&er%,

 b#t !e !a% robbe& t!e women o' t!e one t!in+ t!at +ive% t!em va$#e, babie%

T!e Sa$va+in+ ta(e% "$a-e in .arvar& ar&, in 'ront o' w!at wa% Wi&ener >ibrar) A% a #niver%it),

.arvar& on-e %)mbo$i5e& t!e 'ree "#r%#it o' (now$e&+eF a% t!e $o-ation 'or t!e Sa$va+in+, it

%)mbo$i5e% t!e &enia$ o' a--e%% to (now$e&+e Gi$ea& !a% t#rne& t!e o$& wor$& #"%i&e &own,

ma(in+ a 'ormer $ibera$ art% #niver%it) t!e %eat o' t!e %e-ret "o$i-e

C!a"ter% I* H .i%tori-a$ Note% on The Handmaid’s Tale

Summary/ Cha(ter 54

O''re& 'ee$% +reat re$ie' w!en %!e !ear% t!at O'+$en !a% -ommitte& %#i-i&e, 'or now O'+$en wi$$

not +ive !er name to t!e E)e% w!i$e bein+ tort#re& or t!e 'ir%t time, O''re& 'ee$% -om"$ete$)

wit!in t!e "ower o' t!e a#t!oritie% S!e 'ee$% %!e wi$$ &o an)t!in+ ne-e%%ar) to $ive:%to"

wantin+ -ontro$ o' !er bo&), %to" re%i%tin+, %to" %eein+  Ni-( rom t!e "or-!,  Serena -a$$% to

O''re& W!en O''re& -ome% in, %!e !o$&% o#t !er winter -$oa( an& t!e %e0#ine& o#t'it O''re&

wore to t!e -$#b S!e a%(% O''re& !ow %!e -o#$& be %o v#$+ar, an& t!en te$$% O''re& %!e i% a %$#t

$i(e t!e ot!er .an&mai& an& wi$$ -ome to t!e %ame en& Ni-( %to"% w!i%t$in+, b#t O''re& &oe% not

$oo( at !im S!e mana+e% to remain -a$m an& -om"o%e& a% %!e retreat% to !er room

Summary/ Cha(ter 56

A'ter !er -on'rontation wit! Serena, O''re& wait% in !er room S!e 'ee$% "ea-e'#$ Ni+!t -ree"%

in, an& %!e won&er% i' %!e -o#$& #%e !er !i&&en mat-! an& %tart a 'ire S!e mi+!t &ie 'rom %mo(e

in!a$ation, a$t!o#+! t!e 'ire wo#$& be %#b&#e& 0#i-($) Or %!e -o#$& !an+ !er%e$' in !er room

'rom t!e !oo(% in t!e -$o%et, %!e t!in(% Or %!e -o#$& wait 'or Serena an& (i$$ !er w!en %!e o"en%

t!e &oor to !er room Not!in+ %eem% to matter 7n t!e twi$i+!t, %!e !ear% t!e van -omin+ 'or !er,

an& %!e re+ret% not &oin+ %omet!in+ w!i$e %!e !a& t!e -!an-e A% t!e van "#$$% into t!e &rivewa),

%!e %ee% t!e E)e% "ainte& on it% %i&e%

T!e van "#$$% in, an& Ni-( o"en% t!e &oor o' O''re&4% room O''re& t!in(% !e !a% betra)e& !er,

 b#t !e w!i%"er% t!at %!e %!o#$& +o wit! t!e E)e% .e te$$% !er t!e) are in Ma)&a) an& !ave -ome

to %ave !er O''re& (now% t!at !e mi+!t be an E)e, be-a#%e t!e E)e% "robab$) (now a$$ abo#t

Ma)&a), b#t t!i% i% !er $a%t -!an-e S!e wa$(% &own t!e %tair% to meet t!e men waitin+ 'or !er

Serena &eman&% to (now O''re&4% -rime, an& O''re& rea$i5e% Serena wa% not t!e one to -a$$ t!e%e

men T!e men %a) t!e) -annot te$$ !er T!e Comman&er  &eman&% to %ee a warrant, an& t!e E)e%

 :or t!e men 'rom Ma)&a), "er!a"%:%a) t!at %!e i% bein+ arre%te& 'or 2vio$ation o' %tate

%e-ret% A% Serena -#r%e% !er, O''re& 'o$$ow% t!e E)e% to t!e van waitin+ o#t%i&e

Summary/ -istorical Notes on The Handmaid’s Tale 

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T!e e"i$o+#e i% a tran%-ri"t o' a %)m"o%i#m !e$& in =19, in a #niver%it) in t!e Ar-ti- Gi$ea& i%

$on+ +one, an& O''re&4% %tor) !a% been "#b$i%!e& a% a man#%-ri"t tit$e& The Handmaid’s Tale. .er 

%tor) wa% 'o#n& re-or&e& on a %et o' -a%%ette ta"e% $o-(e& in an arm) 'oot $o-(er in Ban+or,

Maine T!e main "art o' t!e e"i$o+#e i% a %"ee-! b) an ex"ert on Gi$ea& name& <ro'e%%or 

<ieixoto .e ta$(% abo#t a#t!enti-atin+ t!e -a%%ette ta"e% .e %a)% ta"e% $i(e t!e%e wo#$& be ver)

&i''i-#$t to 'a(e T!e 'ir%t %e-tion o' ea-! ta"e -ontain% a 'ew %on+% 'rom t!e "re/Gi$ea&ean

 "erio&, "robab$) to -amo#'$a+e t!e a-t#a$ "#r"o%e o' t!e ta"e% T!e %ame voi-e %"ea(% on a$$ t!e

ta"e%, an& t!e) are not n#mbere&, nor are t!e) arran+e& in an) "arti-#$ar or&er, %o t!e "ro'e%%or%

w!o tran%-ribe& t!e %tor) !a& to +#e%% at t!e inten&e& -!rono$o+) o' t!e ta"e%

<ieixoto warn% !i% a#&ien-e a+ain%t #&+in+ Gi$ea& too !ar%!$), be-a#%e %#-! #&+ment% are

-#$t#ra$$) bia%e&, an& !e "oint% o#t t!at t!e Gi$ea& re+ime wa% #n&er a +oo& &ea$ o' "re%%#re 'rom

t!e 'a$$in+ birt!rate an& environmenta$ &e+ra&ation .e %a)% t!e birt!rate &e-$ine& 'or a variet) o' 

rea%on%, in-$#&in+ birt! -ontro$, abortion%, A7DS, %)"!i$i%, an& &e'ormitie% an& mi%-arria+e%

re%#$tin+ 'rom n#-$ear "$ant &i%a%ter% an& toxi- wa%te T!e "ro'e%%or ex"$ain% !ow Gi$ea& -reate&

a +ro#" o' 'erti$e women b) -rimina$i5in+ a$$ %e-on& marria+e% an& nonmarita$ re$ation%!i"%,

-on'i%-atin+ -!i$&ren o' t!o%e marria+e% an& "artner%!i"%, an& #%in+ t!e women a% re"ro&#-tive

ve%%e$% %in+ t!e Bib$e a% #%ti'i-ation, t!e) re"$a-e& w!at !e -a$$% 2%eria$ "o$)+am) wit!

2%im#$taneo#% "o$)+am) .e ex"$ain% t!at $i(e a$$ new %)%tem%, Gi$ea& &rew on t!e "a%t in

-reatin+ it% i&eo$o+) 7n "arti-#$ar, !e mention% t!e ra-ia$ ten%ion% t!at "$a+#e& "re/Gi$ea&, w!i-!

Gi$ea& in-or"orate& in it% &o-trine

.e &i%-#%%e% t!e i&entit) o' t!e narrator T!e) trie& to &i%-over it #%in+ a variet) o' met!o&%, b#t

'ai$e& <ieixoto note% t!at !i%tori-a$ &etai$% are %-ant) be-a#%e %o man) re-or&% were &e%tro)e& in

 "#r+e% an& -ivi$ war Some ta"e%, !owever, were %m#++$e& to Save t!e Women %o-ietie% in

En+$an& .e %a)% t!e name% O''re& #%e& to &e%-ribe !er re$ative% were $i(e$) "%e#&on)m%

em"$o)e& to "rote-t t!e i&entitie% o' !er $ove& one% T!e Comman&er wa% $i(e$) eit!er re&eri-( 

Water'or& or B re&eri-( ;#&& Bot! men were $ea&er% in t!e ear$) )ear% o' Gi$ea&, an& bot!

were "robab$) in%tr#menta$ in b#i$&in+ t!e %o-iet)4% ba%i- %tr#-t#re ;#&& &evi%e& t!e

<arti-i-#tion, rea$i5in+ t!at it wo#$& re$ea%e t!e "ent/#" an+er o' t!e .an&mai&% <ieixoto %a)%

t!at <arti-i-#tion% be-ame %o "o"#$ar t!at in Gi$ea&4% 2Mi&&$e <erio& t!e) o--#rre& 'o#r time% a

)ear ;#&& a$%o -ame #" wit! t!e notion t!at women %!o#$& -ontro$ ot!er women <ieixoto %a)%

t!at no em"ire $a-(% t!i% 2-ontro$ o' t!e in&i+eno#% b) member% o' t!eir own +ro#" <ieixoto

ex"$ain% t!at bot! Water'or& an& ;#&& $i(e$) -ame into -onta-t wit! a vir#% t!at -a#%e& %teri$it) in

men .e %a)% t!e evi&en-e %#++e%t% t!at Water'or& wa% t!e Comman&er o' O''re&4% %tor)F re-or&%

%!ow t!at in 2one o' t!e ear$ie%t "#r+e% Water'or& wa% (i$$e& 'or ownin+ "i-t#re% an& boo(%, an&

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'or in&#$+in+ 2$ibera$ ten&en-ie% <ieixoto remar(% t!at man) ear$) Comman&er% 'e$t t!em%e$ve%

above t!e r#$e%, %a'e 'rom an) atta-(, an& t!at in t!e Mi&&$e <erio& Comman&er% be!ave& more

-a#tio#%$)

T!e "ro'e%%or %a)% t!e 'ina$ 'ate o' O''re& i% #n(nown S!e ma) !ave been re-a"t#re& 7' %!e

e%-a"e& to En+$an& or Cana&a, it i% "#55$in+ t!at %!e &i& not ma(e !er %tor) "#b$i-, a% man)

women &i& .owever, %!e mi+!t !ave wante& to "rote-t ot!er% w!o were $e't be!in&, or %!e ma)

!ave 'eare& re"er-#%%ion% a+ain%t !er 'ami$) <#ni%!in+ t!e re$ative% o' e%-a"e& .an&mai&% wa%

&one %e-ret$) to minimi5e ba& "#b$i-it) in 'orei+n $an&% .e %a)% Ni-(4% motivation -annot be

#n&er%too& '#$$)F !e revea$% t!at Ni-( wa% a member bot! o' t!e E)e% an& o' Ma)&a), an& t!at

t!e men !e -a$$e& were %ent to re%-#e O''re& 7n t!e en&, <ieixoto %a)%, t!e) wi$$ "robab$) never 

(now t!e rea$ en&in+ o' O''re&4% %tor) T!e nove$ en&% wit! t!e $ine, 2LAre t!ere an) 0#e%tion%J4

Analysis/ Cha(ters 54356 < -istorical Notes on The Handmaid’s Tale

O''re&4% %tor) en&% abr#"t$) an& #n-ertain$), w!i-! i$$#%trate% t!e "re-ario#% nat#re o' exi%ten-e

in a tota$itarian %o-iet) in w!i-! ever)one %tan&% -on%tant$) "oi%e& on t!e e&+e o' arre%t an&

exe-#tion O''re& $earn% o' O'+$en4% &eat!, 'in&% t!at Serena (now% o' !er vi%it% to ;e5ebe$4%, an&

i% ?"o%%ib$)@ re%-#e& b) Ni-(4% intervention, a$$ in t!e %ame &a) et, even a% event% move

0#i-($), O''re& !er%e$' &oe% ab%o$#te$) not!in+ T!in+% !a""en to !erF %!e &oe% not ma(e t!em

!a""en S!e &emon%trate% !er $a-( o' a+en-) w!en %!e %"en&% !o#r% a$one in !er room, $i%t$e%%$)

-ontem"$atin+ m#r&er, %#i-i&e, an& e%-a"e, b#t #nab$e to a-t Gi$ea& !a% %tri""e& !er o' !er 

 "ower, an& %o in a moment o' -ri%i% %!e -an &o not!in+ b#t t!in(, an& worr), an& wait 'or t!e

 b$a-( van to -ome T!ro#+!o#t t!e nove$, O''re& !a% maintaine& an interna$ %tr#++$e a+ain%t t!e

%)%tem, an& a -a#tio#% o#twar& %tr#++$e 7t i% w!en t!e new% o' O'+$en4% &eat! terri'ie% !er, an&

w!en %!e rea$i5e% %!e wo#$& rat!er +ive in t!an &ie, t!at !e$" arrive% Atwoo& %#++e%t% t!at in

Gi$ea& t!e tin) rebe$$ion% or re%i%tan-e% o' one "er%on &o not ne-e%%ari$) matter O''re& e%-a"e%

not be-a#%e o' !er re%i%tan-e, b#t &e%"ite !er "a%%ivit) >#-( %ave% !erF %!e &oe% not %ave !er%e$'

W!en t!e van -ome%, O''re& !a% no wa) o' (nowin+ w!et!er it -ome% to %ave !er or to brin+ !er 

to !er &eat!, b#t %!e m#%t +o 7n Gi$ea&, women -annot e%-a"e a$one Someone m#%t !e$" t!em

attain 'ree&om .er %tor) en&% eit!er in 2&ar(ne%% or 2$i+!t, %!e %a)%, not (nowin+ w!i-! it wi$$

 be A'ter t!i% en&in+, wit! it% $ea" into t!e #n(nown, t!e e"i$o+#e 'o$$ow% 7t i% %im#$taneo#%$) a

we$-ome obe-tive ex"$i-ation o' Gi$ea&ean %o-iet), a "aro&) o' a-a&emi- -on'eren-e%, an&

o''en%ive to t!e rea&er We !ave #%t %#''ere& t!ro#+! O''re&4% torment% wit! !er, an& it i%

%!o-(in+, a% Atwoo& mean% it to be, to !ear !er $i'e &i%-#%%e& in 'ront o' an am#%e& a#&ien-e,

 o(e& abo#t, an& treate& a% a 0#aint re$i-

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<ro'e%%or <ieixoto ma(e% re'eren-e% to Gi$ea&4% -$ever %)nt!e%i% o' an-ient -#%tom% an& mo&ern

 be$ie'%, !e &i%-#%%e% t!e #%e o' bib$i-a$ narrative% to #%ti') t!e in%tit#tion o' t!e .an&mai&%, an&

!e mention% t!e %imi$aritie% between t!e 2<arti-i-#tion an& an-ient 'erti$it) rite% None o' t!e%e

t!in+% wi$$ !ave e%-a"e& t!e noti-e o' an a$ert rea&er, b#t t!i% mar(% t!e 'ir%t time we !ave !ear&

t!em ex"$aine& -$ear$) an& ana$)ti-a$$) T!e e"i$o+#e a$%o revea$% in'ormation be)on& O''re&4%

ex"erien-e:t!e i&entit) o' O''re&4% Comman&er, t!e "#r+e% t!at too( "$a-e 're0#ent$) #n&er t!e

re+ime, an& t!e %#--e%% o' t!e #n&er+ro#n& re%i%tan-e at in'i$tratin+ t!e -omman& %tr#-t#re

B) te$$in+ #% t!at The Handmaid’s Tale wa% tran%-ribe& 'rom ta"e% 'o#n& in an 2n&er+ro#n&

ema$eroa& %a'e !o#%e, t!e e"i$o+#e #n&er-#t% t!e "ower'#$ ambi+#it) o' t!e nove$4% en&in+,

$ettin+ #% (now t!at Ni-( was a member o' Ma)&a), an& !e &i& attem"t to +et O''re& o#t o' t!e

-o#ntr) O''re&4% 'ina$ 'ate remain% a m)%ter), b#t t!e 'ait!'#$ne%% o' Ni-( &oe% not

7n t!e e"i$o+#e, Atwoo& invert% Gi$ea&, overt!rowin+ t!e terrib$e wor$& t!at %!e -reate& 7n

o""o%ition to t!e Gi$ea&4% w!ite, ma$e/&ominate& "atriar-!), in t!e new wor$& t!e w!ite% are t!e

%#be-t% o' %t#&), not t!e %-!o$ar% an& r#$er% <ro'e%%or% !ave name% $i(e ;o!nn) R#nnin+ Do+

an& Mar)ann Cre%-ent Moon, w!i-! %#++e%t% t!at Native Ameri-an% &ominate t!e a-a&em) T!e

+reat #niver%itie% are in N#navit, in nort!ern Cana&a, an& t!e ma" o' t!e wor$&, we are a%%#re&,

!a% been rema&e On-e, w!ite "eo"$e %t#&ie& t!e T!ir& Wor$&F now t!e -!air o' t!e -on'eren-e

anno#n-e% a %"ee-! 'rom <ro'e%%or Go"a$ C!atteree, 'rom t!e De"artment o' We%tern

<!i$o%o"!) at t!e niver%it) o' Baro&a, 7n&ia

<ieixoto4% -omment, t!at Gi$ea& %!o#$& not be #&+e& too !ar%!$) be-a#%e a$$ %#-! #&+ment% are

-#$t#ra$$) -on&itione&, e-!oe% an& -a$$% into 0#e%tion t!e mora$ re$ativi%m -ommon amon+

a-a&emi-% to&a) T!e nove$ !a% a%(e& #% to %)m"at!i5e wit! O''re&, an& to #&+e Gi$ea& evi$,

t)ranni-a$, an& %o#$/&e%tro)in+ 7n t!at -a%e, /<ieixoto4% a""ea$ 'or #n&er%tan&in+, an& t!e

a""$a#%e t!at 'o$$ow% it, %#++e%t% t!at %#-! mora$ ambiva$en-e %ow% %ee&% 'or '#t#re evi$% T!e

 "ro'e%%or an& t!e -on'eren-e atten&ee% are in%#''i-ient$) move& b) O''re&4% "$i+!t T!e) &i%-#%%

!er a% a -!i" in a re"ro&#-tive +ame, be$itt$in+ !er ta$e a% t!e -r#mb% o' !i%tor), an& o"en$)

 "ri5in+ a 'ew "rinte& "a+e% 'rom t!e Comman&er4% -om"#ter over !er ta$e o' %#''erin+ T!i%

 be$itt$in+ o' a woman4% $i'e an& +$ori'i-ation o' a man4% -om"#ter %#++e%t% t!e "atriar-!a$

$eanin+% o' t!i% new %o-iet) O''re& an& !er tra#ma are remote to t!i% +ro#", b#t Atwoo&4% nove$

#r+e% #% to t!in( t!at %#-! a 'ate i% not 'ar o'', b#t ima+inab$e, 'or %o-ietie% $i(e o#r% an& $i(e

<ro'e%%or <ieixoto4%, w!i-! 'an-) t!em%e$ve% "ro+re%%ive b#t !o$& %ee&% o' "atriar-!a$

o""re%%ion T!e a-a&emi-%4 -om"$a-en-) an& %e$'/%ati%'a-tion %eem% &an+ero#% T!e -$o%in+ $ine

 :2Are t!ere an) 0#e%tion%J:+ive% t!e %tor) a &e$iberate$) o"en/en&e& -on-$#%ion T!e en& o' 

The Handmaid’s Tale be+in% a &i%-#%%ion o' t!e i%%#e% t!e %tor) rai%e%

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e) a-t%

+*LL T&TLE  The Handmaid’s Tale

A*T-O!   Mar+aret Atwoo&

T="E O+ $O!>   Nove$

?EN!E  Anti/#to"ian ?or 2&)%to"ian@ nove$F %-ien-e 'i-tionF 'emini%t "o$iti-a$ nove$

LAN?*A?E  En+$i%!

T&ME AN@ "LACE $!&TTEN  Ear$) 198%, We%t Ber$in an& A$abama

@ATE O+ +&!ST "*%L&CAT&ON  198*

"*%L&S-E!   M-C$e$$an& H Stewart in Cana&a, .o#+!ton Mi''$in in t!e nite& State%

NA!!ATO!   O''re&, a .an&mai& in t!e Re"#b$i- o' Gi$ea&

"O&NT  O+  )&E$  The Handmaid’s Tale  i% to$& 'rom O''re&4% "oint o' view S!e te$$% t!e %tor) in t!e

imme&iate "re%ent ten%e b#t 're0#ent$) %!i't% to "a%t ten%e 'or '$a%!ba-(% to $i'e be'ore Gi$ea& an& to !er 

time in t!e Re& Center M#-! o' !er narration i% -on-erne& not wit! event% or a-tion, b#t wit! !er 

emotiona$ %tate, w!i-! i% o'ten a''e-te& b) t!e memorie% t!at we$$ #" 'rom !er !a""ier "a%tTONE  T!e nove$4% tone i% &ar(, an& at time% e$e+ia- 'or t!e $o%t wor$& be'ore Gi$ea& Con%i%tent$)

#n!a""), O''re& 'in&% bot! re'#+e an& "ain in !er memorie% A %en%e o' 'ear an& "aranoia a$%o "erva&e% t!e

nove$, %in-e a$$ t!e -!ara-ter% $ive #n&er a r#t!$e%%, tota$itarian +overnment

TENSE  O''re& &e%-ribe% !er $i'e in t!e Comman&er4% !ome in t!e "re%ent ten%e b#t 're0#ent$) %!i't% to t!e

 "a%t ten%e to &e%-ribe '$a%!ba-(% an& memorie%

SETT&N? T&MEB T!e not/too/&i%tant '#t#re

SETT&N? "LACEB Cambri&+e, Ma%%a-!#%ett%

"!OTA?ON&ST  O''re&

MAJO!  CON+L&CT  T!e Re"#b$i- o' Gi$ea& !a% %#b#+ate& women an& re&#-e& .an&mai&% $i(e O''re& to

%ex#a$ %$aver) O''re& &e%ire% !a""ine%% an& 'ree&om, an& 'in&% !er%e$' %tr#++$in+ a+ain%t t!e tota$itarian

re%tri-tion% o' !er %o-iet)

!&S&N? ACT&ON  O''re&4% evenin+% wit! t!e Comman&erF !er %!o""in+ tri"% wit! O'+$enF !er vi%it to ;e5ebe$4%

CL&MA  A'ter $earnin+ t!at O'+$en -ommitte& %#i-i&e to avoi& arre%t, O''re& ret#rn% !ome an& Serena

-on'ront% !er abo#t !er tri" to ;e5ebe$4%

+ALL&N? ACT&ON  O''re&4% arre%t or e%-a"e at t!e en& o' t!e nove$

T-EMES  Women4% bo&ie% a% "o$iti-a$ in%tr#ment%F $an+#a+e a% a too$ o' "owerF t!e -a#%e% o' 

-om"$a-en-)

MOT&+S  Ra"e an& %ex#a$ vio$en-eF re$i+io#% term% #%e& 'or "o$iti-a$ "#r"o%e%F %imi$aritie% between

rea-tionar) an& 'emini%t i&eo$o+ie%

S=M%OLS  Cambri&+e, Ma%%a-!#%ett%F .arvar& niver%it)F t!e .an&mai&%4 re& !abit%F a "a$im"%e%tF t!e E)e%

+O!ES-A@O$&N?  O''re&4% (i%% wit! Ni-( 'ore%!a&ow% t!eir event#a$ a''airF t!e attem"te& (i&na""in+ o'