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.