Ofglen's Resistance and Suicide

Traces Ofglen's role in the Mayday resistance, her recruitment of Offred, and her suicide to avoid capture.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The First Hint

The First Hint The Churchyard Ofglen leads Offred to the church, ostensibly to pray. Offred suspects she is mourning someone. They stand in silence, looking at the gravestones. Ofglen's head is bowed, but Offred cannot tell if she is mourning or gloating. The Wall They go to the Wall, where bodies hang. Ofglen seems affected, but Offred cannot afford to know. She clenches her hands. The ritual of looking is a test of loyalty. The Silence Ofglen is always proper, never saying anything unorthodox. Offred thinks she may be a true believer. But there is something in her stillness that hints at hidden depths.

The Revelation at Soul Scrolls

The Revelation at Soul Scrolls The Glass Window Offred and Ofglen stand outside Soul Scrolls, watching the prayer machines. Ofglen catches Offred's eye in the reflection. She asks, "Do you think God listens to these machines?" This is treason. The Crossing Offred steels herself and says no. Ofglen sighs with relief. They have crossed the invisible line. Ofglen tells her about the password "Mayday" and the network. Offred is excited and terrified. The Warning Ofglen warns Offred to keep her head down and not talk when anyone is coming. They walk in silence. Offred feels hope rising. She wants to ask about Luke, Moira, her daughter, but there is no time.

The Particicution

The Particicution The Political Prisoner At the Salvaging, a man is brought forward, accused of rape. Ofglen pushes through the crowd and kicks him in the head, knocking him out. Offred is shocked and disgusted. The Truth Ofglen whispers to Offred that the man was not a rapist but a political prisoner, one of theirs. She knocked him out to put him out of his misery. Offred realizes the brutality of the regime and the compromises of resistance. The Aftermath Janine appears with a clump of hair, smiling. Offred feels angry and sick. She wants to scrub the smell of tar from her hands. The Particicution reveals the savagery that lies beneath the surface.

Ofglen's Suicide

Ofglen's Suicide The New Ofglen Offred's shopping partner is replaced by a woman who is cold and warns her. Offred realizes Ofglen has been caught. The new Ofglen whispers that she hanged herself after the Salvaging, seeing the van coming for her. The Relief Offred feels relief and gratitude. Ofglen died so that Offred might live. She mourns later. The new Ofglen is a threat, but Offred is safe for now. The Loss Ofglen's death marks the end of Offred's connection to the resistance. She is alone again. She thinks about the cost of resistance and the price of survival.

early summer, during a shopping walk

mid-summer, during a shopping walk

during the Salvaging, late summer

after the Salvaging, same day