Summary and Analysis of the Handmaid's Tale by Worth Books

Author:Worth Books
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Worth Books
Published: 2017-01-30T15:48:57+00:00

XIII: Night

40

Serena Joy helps Offred to sneak out and meet Nick—the obvious candidate for impregnation. Offred complies, although it’s not exactly romantic. Or is it? She tells two versions of the story, leaving it to the reader to decide which, if either, is true.

Need to Know: Offred enjoys sex with Nick, but feels guilty because she doesn’t know if Luke is dead.

XIV: Salvaging

41

Offred returns to Nick again and again. She’s not proud of it, but it is clear that the affair is both a distraction and an escape. She wonders if the Marthas know. Her time with Nick makes her happier. She turns away from thoughts of actually escaping. Ofglen begins to lose faith in Offred and does not pass on as much information.

Need to Know: While Offred’s first time with Nick was sanctioned by Serena Joy, these other meetings are strictly forbidden.

42

Offred attends a Salvaging, a euphemistic term for a public display of capital punishment in which dissidents of various kinds are hanged. Today, the doomed women are a Wife and two Handmaids. They sit on stage in front of a crowd of women who are arranged in the viewing area according to their caste—Wives and daughters in one place, Handmaids in another, etc. Aunt Lydia oversees the event. When the first Handmaid is hanged, Offred looks down. She doesn’t want to watch.

Need to Know: For the first time, Aunt Lydia doesn’t announce the crimes of those about to die. The audience feels cheated by this.

43

After the Salvaging comes a Particicution—an execution in which the Handmaids are allowed to participate. Aunt Lydia announces that the man is a rapist. He is torn to pieces by the assembled women. It’s state-sanctioned, an outlet for their rage and hatred. Offred is surprised to see Ofglen strike the first blow, but Ofglen whispers to her that she has knocked the man out so he will not suffer as he dies—he is really a member of the resistance.

Need to Know: After the killing, Offred sees Janine, bloodstained. Janine has become delusional again and has no idea where she is or what she’s done.

44

Offred goes shopping that afternoon, but, to her shock, Ofglen has changed. The new Ofglen bears the same name, but she is not the same woman. Her Commander has a new Handmaid. Offred, risking everything, tries the resistance password, but there’s no sign of recognition. This Ofglen seems prim and pious, but just as they part, she whispers to Offred: Her predecessor hanged herself.

Need to Know: Ofglen killed herself because she saw a black van—the Eyes—coming for her.

45

When Offred returns from her shopping trip, Serena Joy confronts her. She has found out about the trip to Jezebel’s, and she regards it as a significant betrayal. Offred doesn’t know what action Serena Joy is going to take as a result.

Need to Know: Just before she is accosted by Serena Joy, Offred gives in to the fear inspired by the day’s violence and danger. She will stop fighting and simply do as she’s told.

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