Offred's Internal Conflict: Memory vs. Survival

Offred's struggle to hold onto her past while adapting to the demands of Gilead.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The Weight of Memory

The Weight of Memory The Past as Refuge Offred retreats into memories of Luke, Moira, and her daughter. These memories are a source of comfort but also pain. The Danger of Remembering Remembering makes her vulnerable. She must ration thought. Thinking can hurt her chances. She tries to stay in the present. The Loss of Self Offred fears losing her former self. She clings to her secret name. Memory is an act of resistance.

The Adaptation

The Adaptation The Routine Offred adapts to the daily routine. She finds small pleasures: an egg, a cigarette, a touch. She learns to survive. The Compromise She begins an affair with the Commander and then with Nick. She compromises her values. She tells herself she has made a life. The Guilt Offred feels guilty for adapting. She thinks of Moira's courage. She knows she is a wimp. But survival is paramount.

The Breaking Point

The Breaking Point The Particicution Offred witnesses the brutality of the Particicution. She feels sick. She wants to scrub the smell from her hands. The Loss of Ofglen Ofglen's suicide leaves Offred alone. She realizes the cost of resistance. She is terrified. The Surrender Offred considers suicide, but chooses to go with the van. She surrenders to the unknown. Her internal conflict is unresolved.

throughout the narrative

as the narrative progresses

near the ending