Chapters 32 through 39

In my opinion, this section of reading has, thus far, been the most revealing in regard to the past of Gilead and of Offred as an individual. Personally, I found it extremely interesting that the author included an aspect of further regret in the Commander, indicated through his acceptance of the dissatisfaction centralized around the new society of Gilead at the end of chapter 32. I believe that this interaction between the Commander and Offred provides a lot of information about the two, their relationship, and their personalized social standards. Another thing that I noticed was the role of the prayvganza as a forged act of communion amongst women; specifically, I found it interesting how the heavily the suppression of handmaids is emphasized whilst they are, truly, considered pivotal members of society. What were your thoughts regarding the prayvaganza? Additionally, I found it extremely interesting how this section has been used to display and explain much information from Offred’s past while simultaneously revealing new information about Offred’s supposedly lost family – for instances: the photo of her daughter, discovering Moira at the makeshift brothel, and hearing about her mother in the Colonies. Overall, though, I believe that this section of reading is beginning to enlighten many of our previous concerns.

Firstly, though we’ve discussed this theme various times before, I think we should again touch upon the social interactions of women in the novel, given many recent progressions. It seems as though the women entirely judge each other and think of others as lesser – whether based upon social standards or personal preferences – in order to comfort themselves in such a harsh society. I found it entirely disheartening how Offred seemed to find comfort and solace through a communality of using the bathroom. In my opinion, this exemplifies the utter barbarism of the novel’s setting. What did you all think about this scene? Additionally, how did it change or polarize your previous feelings regarding the novel’s social standards?

Additionally, I think we should discuss the recent progressions within the relationship between Offred and the Commander. Towards the end of the last section of reading, we seemed to begin seeing the Commander in a new light: one of kindness and acceptance – though forged through a previous guilt. However, during our most recent reading, he seems to have reverted to his old ways of life, having become more flirtatious with Offred and going so far as to take her to a club filled with local prostitutes. What did this interaction between Offred and the Commander tell you about their relationship? Do these differ from your thoughts after the last section of reading? Additionally, how do you think this interaction may affect the way in which Offred planned to manipulate the past guilt of the Commander?

Finally, I think that we should discuss Moira – both her past life and the new one that she had been forced into following her capture. Offred previously had idolized Moira as a sort of new-age martyr; though Moira had exemplified and indirectly preached of societal freedoms rather than religious preferences. How do you think Offred perception of Moira has changed given her recent discoveries? Do you think that she thinks of Moira in a more negative, a more positive, or a neutral sense now? Why do you feel this way?

We’re almost done with the novel and, personally, I’m very excited to see where the plot will progress. I think that there are currently many unanswered questions and concerns. Hopefully, these will be answered and resolved during our last section of reading!

Chapters 25 through 31

I found that this section definitely alleviated many of the previous questions that we all seemed to have regarding the previous aspects of the societal past of the novel. In addition, I think that we are beginning to see a generalized trend developing in a deviating path from the past theme of female suppression and oppression; specifically, I’m beginning to see this through the developing relationship between Offred and the Commander as well as the emergence of a subversive group. I also found it extremely interesting that many new relationships – of both friendship and hatred – have been forged at this pivotal point in the novel; particularly, the final chapter of this section revealed quite a bit about the relationship between Serena Joy and Offred. What other relationships did you all identify as particularly interesting or insightful regarding the entirety of the novel? I also found it interesting how there seems to be covert relationships of understanding present within the various social levels; for instance, the way in which Cora covered for Offred after finding her asleep on the floor seemed like an exemplification of mutual understanding between the two. Can you guys think of any other examples of clandestine friendships or relationships within the novel?

This week I think we should definitely discuss the progression of the relationship between the narrator and Nick. Though the two had very little direct interaction – solely a secretive signal and a glance through a window – there seemed to be great advancements between the two. For example, Serena Joy seemed to indirectly sell Offred to Nick as a toy of sexual gratification, claiming that the relationship would be in the narrator’s best interest. What do you all think about this interaction and, more importantly, about the entirety of Nick and Offred’s relationship?

Furthermore, I think that we should discuss the past of Gilead – also known as the modern-day United States – and its progression towards the novel’s current social state. Though we learned a great deal about the societal development in the novel, we never truly learned of any immediate indications that ignited the transition from the United States to Gilead. I know that we’ve discussed the possible sparks that may have resulted in the transformation of America; however, what are everyone’s thoughts, now, knowing the new information regarding the style of reformation that occurred within the novel’s society? Additionally – connecting the previous question – what does everyone think could occur in the future portions of the novel, regarding society as a whole?

Finally, I thought it would be really interesting to discuss the Commander’s relationship with the narrator in more detailing. Now, we’ve learned about his past handmaid and her flee from the harsh world of the novel. Do you all agree with the narrator’s thoughts that her relationship with the Commander – whether sexually based or otherwise – is truly centralized around the Commander’s guilt of his past relationship with the previous handmaid? Do you think that Offred may utilize this guilt to her advantage in the future, as she contemplates throughout this portion of the novel?

Overall, as we near the end of the novel, I think that we have discovered some very interesting aspects of the novel and its society. Additionally, I think that many more surprises and divulgences may occur in our future readings.

Chapters 18 through 24

This section of reading has definitely enlightened a few previous questions and concerns; however, wholly, I feel as though it has raised many more issues and inquiries. I think that there is one centralized, major theme throughout the story – which we’ve already discussed – that has become even more overt within these past few chapters: the suppression, repression and oppression of women. I think that this has become further emphasized through the nomenclature system used within the story. When we here about Janine’s birth in chapter 19, we learn that she has now been given the name “Ofwarren”. However, in the following chapter, we learn that her commander’s wife is also referred to as “the wife of Warren”. Linking these two pieces of information together, and subsequently discovering that handmaid’s are referred to as “Of (commander’s name)” entirely highlights the suppressive tendencies of society within the novel. Though I think this naming trend may have been hinter towards – if not clearly mentioned – previously within the novel, this section seemed to emphasize it more clearly, by following such a revelation with an immediate exemplification of inequalities displayed through the Wives’ reactions following the birth. Overall, though, most of my questions during the reading focused upon the societal inequalities, yet again.

One thing that I found interesting within this section of reading was the role of fantasies and dreams within the novel. I considered these to be somewhat of a salvation from society – for instance, the narrator began to cry following the realization that the dream of her future child was solely a dream. This, in my opinion, indicated a sudden recognition of the faults of society within the given context, which resulted in the narrator’s inability to control her emotions. What does everyone think about the role of dreams – both good and bad – throughout the novel?

Secondly, I thought we should discuss chapters 23 and 24 in more detail, for these two sparked the most interest and subsequent questions during my reading. Overall, I found the commander’s action within chapter 23 to be quite out of character (though, to be fair, we haven’t seen much of his character; more so, I’m drawing conclusions based on the societal standards displayed thus far within the novel). By inviting his handmaid to play Scrabble with him and, thereby, disobeying the laws regarding women’s rights to read, could prove to be a pivotal moment within the entirety of the novel. What could be the Commander’s true intentions? Does he, possibly, consider his handmaid to be a companion rather than a subhuman creature – as society has dictated?

Regarding chapter 24, I was most curious as to why the author chose to segregate the chapter as its own, distinct, section of the book. How was the section title – “Night”  – reflected within the chapter, other than the temporal period during which the plot took place? Are there any ambiguous meanings to the word night that may have been reflected or emphasized within this chapter, in your opinion? Furthermore, why do you think the author chose to segregate this chapter – which, superficially, did not appear to be of the utmost significance in regards to overall development of the novel?

Are there any other questions that developed as you all read through this week’s section?

Chapters 6 through 17

Personally, I feel as though this section answered many of my previous questions while simultaneously prompting various others. Overall, though, I’m beginning to understand the progression of the story with much more depth; however, two styles of progress seem to exist dichotomously within the novel: the progression of the plot (which I consider a sort of “short-term” progression) and the progression from the past to the present (which I consider to be a “long-term” progression). Overall, I think these developments compliment each other, thereby emphasizing the differences, inequalities, and injustices amongst past and modern times within the setting. I think that these dissimilarities amongst the time periods is inherently highlighted at the beginning of chapter eight, where the narrator claims, “The good weather holds. It’s almost like June, when we would get out our sundresses and our sandals and go for an ice cream cone. There are three new bodies on the Wall.” (43). By forming this sentence with a sense of continuity – without any sort of differentiation indicating a shift from past to present – Atwood is able to juxtapose the different lifestyles associated with the two societies. This week, I focused most of my analysis and subsequent discussion questions upon society in the novel and societies in their entirety.

First, this week, I thought it could be interesting to discuss and distinguish the role of society within the novel – specifically, a comparison between the present society of the novel and what little we know regarding that of the past. Do you feel as though the present society is a derivation and progression of the past society, or rather that an entirely new social structure has developed? What, would you say, are some characteristics of the novel’s society – both past and present? Additionally, do you feel as though certain individuals dictate societal roles and standards within the novel or rather that society has evolved to such a point that, truly, it dictates the individual’s into maintaining certain roles?

Secondly, I think we should consider a quote found at the end of chapter 11. In the quote, the narrator claims, “I’ve crossed no boundaries. I’ve given no trust, taken no risk, all is safe. It’s the choices that terrifies me. A way out, a salvation.” What do you think this fear of choice and decision indicates regarding the narrator and other handmaids within the novel? How could it be used to explain the handmaid subculture throughout the entirety of the story? If you find it easier, you could use the context of the above quote or find a quote that you feel better exemplifies your ideas.

Finally, in order to provide a realistic context, I think we should attempt to draw parallels, juxtapositions and contradictions between the novel’s society and our own personal society – at local, national, and possibly international levels. What are the most obvious differences between society of the novel and the society of reality? For example, I know that Cassidy mentioned the role of rape regarding the novel’s society and discussed the dissimilarities between the two societies. Additionally, since the society of the novel appears so domineering and overbearing, in a sense, what are some forms of salvation from the societal troubles in the novel?