early in the story
Arrival at the Red Center
Offred arrives at the Rachel and Leah Re-education Center, known as the Red Center, where she and other women are trained to become Handmaids. The gymnasium, once used for dances and basketball, now serves as a dormitory with rows of army cots. The Aunts, including Aunt Lydia and Aunt Elizabeth, patrol with electric cattle prods, enforcing strict silence and discipline. The women learn to whisper and lip-read, exchanging names like Alma, Janine, Dolores, Moira, and June. This setting establishes the oppressive control and the loss of personal identity that defines the Handmaids' existence.
early in the story
Offred's New Room
Offred is assigned a room in the Commander's house, a former family home now repurposed for the regime. The room is sparsely furnished with a chair, table, lamp, and a bed with a white spread. The window is shatterproof and opens only partly, and the chandelier has been removed to prevent suicide. A picture of blue irises hangs on the wall, and a braided rug covers the floor. Offred reflects on the absence of mirrors and the constant surveillance, noting that the room feels like a college guest room for ladies in reduced circumstances. She contemplates the meaning of her red dress and white wings, symbols of her role as a Handmaid.
five weeks before the narrative present
First Meeting with Serena Joy
Offred arrives at the Commander's house and is met at the front door by Serena Joy, the Commander's Wife. Serena Joy, a former television personality and singer, now appears older and bitter, with a cane and a cold demeanor. She makes it clear that she views Offred as a necessary but unwelcome presence, comparing their relationship to a business transaction. Offred recognizes Serena Joy from her past as a gospel singer and later as a political speaker advocating for traditional values. This encounter establishes the tense dynamic between the Handmaid and the Wife, setting the stage for their ongoing conflict.
early in the story
Shopping with Ofglen
Offred goes on her daily shopping walk with her partner, Ofglen, a fellow Handmaid. They walk in pairs through the streets of Gilead, passing checkpoints guarded by young Guardians. They visit stores like Milk and Honey and All Flesh, using tokens to purchase food. During the walk, they encounter a pregnant Handmaid, Janine, who is visibly proud of her condition. Offred and Ofglen also pass the Wall, where the bodies of executed men hang as a warning. The walk is a routine but fraught with tension, as the women must maintain a pious demeanor while secretly observing their surroundings.
early in the story
Encounter with Japanese Tourists
While shopping, Offred and Ofglen encounter a group of Japanese tourists, including women in short skirts and high heels. The tourists' interpreter asks if they are happy, and Offred murmurs a forced affirmative. The encounter highlights the stark contrast between the freedom of the past and the oppression of the present. Offred feels both fascination and repulsion at the sight of the tourists' exposed skin and makeup, which remind her of her former life. The moment underscores the regime's control over women's bodies and the loss of personal autonomy.
early in the story
Viewing the Wall
Offred and Ofglen stop at the Wall, where the bodies of executed men hang with white bags over their heads. The men include doctors convicted of performing abortions, their placards bearing drawings of fetuses. Offred feels a mix of horror and detachment, recognizing that none of the bodies is her husband, Luke. The Wall serves as a constant reminder of the regime's brutality and the stakes of disobedience. Ofglen's reaction is ambiguous, leaving Offred uncertain whether she is mourning or gloating.
early in the story
Nighttime Reflections
At night, Offred lies in her room, reflecting on her past life and the loss of her daughter and husband, Luke. She recalls memories of Moira, her friend from college, and her mother, who was involved in feminist activism. Offred thinks about the books she used to read and the freedom she once had. She also remembers the day she and Luke attempted to flee across the border with their daughter, a failed escape that led to their capture. These reflections highlight the emotional toll of her captivity and her struggle to maintain hope.
three days after arrival
Discovery of the Message
While exploring her room, Offred discovers a message scratched into the wall of her closet: 'Nolite te bastardes carborundorum.' She does not understand the Latin but recognizes it as a forbidden act of writing. The message connects her to the previous Handmaid who occupied the room, a woman she imagines as freckled and lively. Offred finds comfort in this secret communication, which becomes a private mantra. She later learns from Rita that the previous Handmaid 'didn't work out,' hinting at her fate.
one month into the narrative
The Doctor's Proposition
Offred is taken to the doctor for her monthly medical exam. During the examination, the doctor offers to impregnate her himself, claiming that many Commanders are sterile. He suggests that she can have a baby this way without anyone knowing. Offred is tempted but ultimately refuses, fearing the death penalty if caught. The encounter highlights the desperation of the Handmaids and the corruption within the system. Offred is left shaken by the choice presented to her.
early in the story
Bath Day Ritual
Cora prepares a bath for Offred, a required ritual before the Ceremony. Offred removes her white wings and red dress, feeling a rare moment of privacy. She reflects on her body and the tattoo on her ankle, a mark of her status as a national resource. The bath is both a luxury and a reminder of her objectification. Offred thinks about her daughter, remembering a time when a woman tried to steal her from a supermarket. The bath ends with Offred applying butter to her skin as a substitute for hand lotion, a small act of self-care.
early in the story
The Ceremony
The Ceremony takes place in Serena Joy's bedroom, where Offred lies between Serena's legs while the Commander has sex with her. Serena holds Offred's hands, symbolizing their unity in the procreative act. Offred feels detached, describing the act as a duty rather than a sexual encounter. The Commander performs mechanically, and Serena releases Offred afterward with disgust. The Ceremony is a dehumanizing ritual that underscores the regime's control over women's bodies and the complex power dynamics within the household.
early in the story
Nighttime Encounter with Nick
Unable to sleep, Offred sneaks into the sitting room to steal a daffodil. She is startled by Nick, who is also in the room. He whispers that the Commander wants to see her in his study. The encounter is charged with tension and desire, as they touch briefly before pulling apart. Nick's message marks the beginning of Offred's secret relationship with the Commander. The meeting is illegal and dangerous, but Offred feels a thrill of rebellion.
early in the story
First Scrabble Game
Offred visits the Commander's study, where he invites her to play Scrabble. The game is forbidden for Handmaids, and Offred finds it both thrilling and absurd. They play two games, with Offred winning the first and letting him win the second. The Commander then asks her to kiss him, and she complies, though the kiss is cold. The encounter reveals the Commander's loneliness and desire for companionship, complicating Offred's view of him. She realizes she now has some power over him.
during Offred's time at the Red Center
Moira's Escape
Moira escapes from the Red Center by overpowering Aunt Elizabeth in the washroom. She uses a toilet lever as a weapon, ties up the Aunt, and disguises herself in Aunt Elizabeth's clothes. Moira then walks out of the Center, passing the guards with a stern demeanor. She is later recaptured and punished, but her escape inspires the other Handmaids. The story of Moira's daring escape becomes a legend among the women, symbolizing resistance and hope.
during Offred's time at the Red Center
Janine's Testifying
At the Red Center, Janine testifies about being gang-raped at fourteen and having an abortion. The Aunts lead the other Handmaids in chanting that it was her fault, reinforcing the regime's ideology of female culpability. Janine breaks down and is forced to kneel in front of the class. The scene illustrates the psychological manipulation used to break the women's spirits. Offred feels complicit in the cruelty, recognizing the dehumanizing effect of the training.
spring
Birth Day for Janine
Offred and other Handmaids attend Janine's birth, a communal event. Janine gives birth to a baby girl, who is immediately taken by the Commander's Wife and named Angela. The birth is a triumph for the Handmaids, but Offred feels a mix of joy and envy. The event highlights the regime's focus on reproduction and the Handmaids' role as vessels. Afterward, Offred returns home exhausted, her breasts leaking fake milk, a reminder of her own failure to conceive.
spring and summer
Secret Meetings with the Commander
Offred begins visiting the Commander regularly for Scrabble games and conversation. He gives her gifts like hand lotion and old magazines, including a Vogue. The meetings are a secret from Serena Joy, and Offred must navigate the risks of being caught. The Commander shares his thoughts on the regime, revealing his belief that men needed purpose and that the system provides it. Offred feels a mix of contempt and pity for him, recognizing his loneliness and need for validation.
summer
Ofglen's Revelation
During a shopping walk, Ofglen reveals that she is part of the Mayday resistance. She tells Offred the password 'Mayday' and asks her to join the network. Offred is both excited and terrified, realizing the danger of such involvement. The encounter marks a turning point, as Offred gains a sense of hope and purpose. However, she is also aware of the risks, especially after witnessing a black van arrest a man on the street.
summer
Serena's Proposal
Serena Joy proposes that Offred have sex with Nick to conceive a child, as the Commander may be sterile. Offred agrees, and Serena arranges the encounter. The proposal is a pragmatic solution to the household's need for a baby, but it also reveals Serena's desperation and willingness to break the rules. Offred feels a mix of guilt and anticipation, knowing that this act could change her fate. The encounter with Nick is both physical and emotional, leading to a secret affair.
summer
Visit to Jezebel's
The Commander takes Offred to Jezebel's, a secret club for high-ranking officials. Offred wears a feather costume and makeup, disguising herself as a prostitute. At the club, she sees Moira, who has been forced to work there. Moira tells Offred about her failed escape and the horrors of the Colonies. The visit is a surreal experience, blending nostalgia for the past with the grim reality of the present. Offred feels both disgust and a strange sense of freedom.
summer
The Prayvaganza
Offred attends a Prayvaganza, a mass wedding ceremony for Angels and their brides. The event is a display of religious and political control, with the Commander officiating. Offred and the other Handmaids kneel in a roped-off area, whispering among themselves. Ofglen tells Offred that Janine's baby was a 'shredder,' a deformed child. The Prayvaganza reinforces the regime's authority and the Handmaids' subjugation. Offred feels a growing sense of rebellion.
summer
The Salvaging
Offred attends a Salvaging, where three women are executed by hanging. The event is a public spectacle, with the Handmaids required to participate by touching a rope. Ofglen reveals that one of the condemned is a political prisoner, not a rapist, and she knocks him unconscious to spare him further suffering. The Salvaging is a brutal reminder of the regime's power and the fragility of life. Offred is shaken by the violence and the complicity required of her.
after the Salvaging
Ofglen's Suicide
After the Salvaging, Offred learns that Ofglen has hanged herself to avoid capture by the Eyes. The new Ofglen, a replacement, warns Offred to be careful. Offred feels a mix of relief and guilt, knowing that Ofglen's death has protected her. The loss of Ofglen leaves Offred isolated and vulnerable, but also more determined to survive. She realizes the stakes of her involvement with the resistance.
after the Salvaging
Confrontation with Serena Joy
Serena Joy confronts Offred about the feather costume and lipstick, accusing her of being a slut. She threatens Offred, saying she will end up like the previous Handmaid. Offred is ordered to her room, and she realizes that her secret is out. The confrontation marks a turning point, as Offred's position in the household becomes precarious. She feels a sense of doom but also a strange calm.
night after the confrontation
The Black Van Arrives
A black van arrives at the Commander's house, and two men come to take Offred away. Nick tells her it's Mayday and to go with them, calling her by her real name. Offred is escorted down the stairs, past Serena Joy and the Commander, who are powerless to stop her. She steps into the van, uncertain whether she is being rescued or taken to her death. The ending is ambiguous, leaving Offred's fate unknown.
2195
Historical Notes
The novel concludes with a transcript from the Twelfth Symposium on Gileadean Studies, held in 2195. Professor Pieixoto discusses the discovery of Offred's tapes and the challenges of authenticating them. He speculates on the identities of the Commander and other figures, suggesting that the regime was a product of its time. The notes provide a scholarly perspective on Gilead, but also highlight the limitations of historical knowledge. The ending underscores the fragility of memory and the importance of storytelling.
