CHARACTER

The narrator of this story that has moments of flash backs. She is a handmaid of the commander Fred. Offred’s character is in a constant battle for power. Her ways around the men in this story gives her power. Such as in chapter 23 Offred is placed in a position of power as she is asked if she can play scrabble and finally a real kiss from the commander that stands the most high in the household. She has moments where she defies the rules with full knowing. In chapter 23 she contemplates the idea of murdering the commander suggesting the power she has in her situation despite her position in society.

Offred

The Commander

The Commander’s character seems to be burdened by gilead rule he does not follow society’s rules entirely. This is evident in chapter 23 with the introduction of the forbidden room with most of society’s banned items. He also asks Offred to kiss him like he mean it which is also taboo, to see a handmaid as anything more than a vessel. That also shows he is displeased in his marriage with Serena, his wife. The commander is a character restricted by the society which he holds the most power in. His actions of thanking the marthas and asking Offred to play scrabble suggests that he has sympathy for the woman that are restricted by the rules. The commander is one of the key figures in Gilead’s creation later noted in chapter. The commander is kind but he still upholds

Serena Joy

The singer in Offred’s past that used to support the antifeminist movement and traditional ways now reduced to being a commander’ saddened in a world she longed for. Leading up to chapter 16 Serena’s character begins to feel saddened by the ceremony that occurs in chapter 16. She is the wife of the commander and therefore feels jealous and dislike towards all handmaids. During the ceremony she intentionally hurt Offred showing the envy in her character. Women are to be isolated in Gilead in order to have only a single role or purpose but this rule has created tension in the woman of Gilead.

Moira

Offred’s best friend in the story. She is a character that Offred places alot of trust upon and is one of the main characters that is recalled from Offred’s past. Moira represents the feminine virtues that go against anti feminist virtues that Gilead is built upon. Whenever Moira is brought up in a flashback she is remembered for her feminist actions and her being a lesbian. Moira description goes against the rules of the society of Gilead in the future. Moira’s value in this story seems to be seems to be Offred’s strongest support against the society of Gilead. Offred always remember Moira for her independence. Moira is seen again in chapter 37 but this time she is reduced to a Jezebel, a prostitute, a object to please men for personal freedom. Moira was looked up to by Offred for her rebellious independent nature and now she is resigned to the laws of Gilead, the city she fought against.

Nick

The chauffeur the commander Fred. His interactions with Offred are some what unusual. Nick’s character shows no signs of being restricted as he is free spirited enough to even “whistle…[and]...wink” at Offred which could get him reported to the Eyes. His appearance is seen as “tanned...french face...lene and whimsical”. In most of his appearances he is smoking a cigarette . His encounters with Offred

Ofglen

She is the handmaid of the commander Glen. Like traditional handmaids she was given a name that reflected that ownership with a suffix Of “Glen”. Oglen is usually Offred’s partner when they go shopping. Secretly she is a member of the “Mayday” resistance against Gilead’s rule.

The Handmaid's Tale