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.