Offred's Daughter's Fate

The life of Offred's daughter after being taken from her mother.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

Taken Away

Taken Away The Separation Offred's daughter is taken from her during the failed escape. She is put into the care of a childless couple. Offred is told she is dead, but later learns she is alive. The Photograph Serena Joy shows Offred a photograph of her daughter, now about eight years old. She is wearing a white dress, smiling. Offred feels erased. The Hope Offred hopes her daughter is happy. She wants her to remember her, but knows she may have been told she is dead. The loss is a constant pain.

A New Life

A New Life The Adoption Offred's daughter is adopted by a Commander's family. She will be raised as a Wife, trained in the ways of Gilead. She will have no memory of her former life. The Erasure Offred is a shadow to her daughter. The photograph shows no recognition. The daughter has been assimilated into the regime. The Unknown Offred never knows what becomes of her daughter. She hopes she is safe, but the uncertainty is torture. The daughter's fate is a symbol of the regime's cruelty.

during the border escape attempt

after the narrative, implied