THEMES

Page 1

HOPE

Moira is a symbol of hope for Offred especially when she sees her in Jezebels

Through frequent memories and flashbacks

- In addition, the theory of escaping Gilead is portrayed throughout the novel from the recallins of past memories in the pre-Gilead era by implying that Offred still hopes that some of these past events will one day repeat themeselves. This is espcially eveident when Offred discusses her current sitauion as a "story", stating that, "here will be an end to this story... I have control... I can pick up from where I left off."

Clothing

"some fairytale figure in a red cloak" (chapter 2, page 9)

"head to toe in red"

- Through this depicton, it can be inferred that Atwood is trying to refernece the Little Red Riding Hood fairy tale. Although the concept of hope is not blatantly evident at first, Atwood manages to create an image in the bacground of her reader's minds comparing the little red riding hood fairy tale, to Offred's situation as Offred is depicted as the innocent "little red riding hood" character, who is placed in an atrocious situation and is trying desperately to escape from it. Furthermore, this refers to Offred, like the fairytable, eventually being rescued or escaping certain amount of time. In doing this, Atwood instills her audience with a future hope for Offred; hoping that she may eventually escaped or be recused from Gilead

-Little Red Riding Hood, Find the words "Nolite te Bastardes Carborundorum" (Don't let the bastards grind you down) (chapter 9, page 52)

Serena Joy smoking a cigarette