The Handmaids Tale: Characters

The Handmaids Tale: Characters

1. Offred

   • never learn her real name
   • both protagonist and narrator
   • ironic, cynical sense of humour
   • observer who describes those around her in a satirical and precise way
   • separates her body from her mind to prevent mental collapse
   • has limited choice but takes responsibility for her actions
   • both independent and feminine, middle ground between extremes of feminism
   • she retains a sense of privacy
   • educated and intelligent
   • her life is restricted so in order to remain intellectually healthy she plays word games with herself

2. The Commander

   • description constantly changes as offered feelings change towards him
   • ruthless and imposing, well educated and clever
   • among the elite group in Gileadean
   • genuinely believes the regime is a good thing
   • shows no remorse for the death of the previous Offred
   • too lonely and isolated so breaks some of the rules to repair this
   • becomes more and more unlikeable as the novel progresses
   • paternal and patronising
   • behaviour at jezebels reveals his ignorance and deeply sexist opinions
   • appears a vulnerable old man as offered gets taken away
   • he gives the regime a human face, appears average

3. Serena Joy

   • most important figure Offreds daily life
   • trapped in her own ideals
   • presented as a spurned wife, desperate for a child but is unable to have one so suffers procreation arrangement
   • indulges her mothering instincts by nurturing plants in her garden and knitting
   • frustration and unhappiness are evident in her chain smoking and surly manner
   • characteristics are: jealousy, gossiping, cold and vindictive
   • believes in love, love for her husband verges on possessiveness
   • both wretched and generous to Offred
   • mixed feelings when Offred leaves
   • serena joy arouses the readers sympathy

4. Moira

   • strong character with strong sense of survival
   • possibly the most influential character to Offred, she's a beacon of hope to her
   • unconventional and self assured, individual and funny
   • her humour at the red centre is important to the other handmaids as it is the only weapon they have against the tyranny of the aunts, but jokes about everything and tries to laugh off danger
   • politically feminist and lesbian. very conscious of her rights
   • betrays herself and her ideals at Jezebels
   • despite several attempts to escape, she is captured and condemned to a factious life within the regime

5. Nick

   • attractive and sexy with an air of mystery. his motives and desires are never revealed
   • he is an eye and a trusted member of the commanders household
   • he shows a rebellious streak when he winks at Offred and touches her feet during the prayers
   • He fulfils Offreds fantasy of being rescued. possibly a member of Mayday

6. Luke

   • new man of the 20th century: involved in child rearing, cooking, household chores and is supportive of Offred when she loses her job
   • presented as a shadowing figure in Offreds narrative - perhaps suggesting that he is dead (or she believes he is dead)
   • his memory is vital to Offreds survival
   • he is the only person from the 'time before' who never resurfaces
   • Offreds relationship with Nick began as an extra-marital affair and they enjoyed wordplay, yet Nick is Luke's mirror in Gilead

7. Offreds mother

   • member of the women liberation movement of the 1960's and 70's
   • records of her participation in events such as books burnings is based on facts - the exploits are taken to the extreme in Gilead
   • she is disappointed that Offred takes for granted the advances in women rights that her generation achieved
   • links to Moria are obvious
   • also links to Serena Joy - each woman is undermined by her own ideals in Gilead
   • she is reduced to being and unman, clearing toxic waste in the colonies, she is used as an example in documentary films

8. Ofglen

   • altruistic heroine - works tirelessly for the movement. she shows mercy and bravado
   • represents collective resistance in opposition to Moire's lone rebellion
   • where Offred struggles with cowardice, Ofglen is decisive and courageous
   • reacts very differently to Offred when she knows the black van is coming for her
   • is her suicide an act of valour?

9. Janine

   • victim of freedom and oppression
   • rape is a crime of power - Janine suffers twice in different ways. in time before when women were not protected she is gang raped, as handmaid, her unbaby is destroyed. in both situations, she is a powerless women, victimised by a powerful group of men.
   • she is a devout believer in the system but is destroyed by its practices - she's gone mad

10. The Aunts

    • older women who train handmaids, deliver births and preside over salvaging
    • betray other women through their collaboration with the new regime
    • uses physical punishment as a means of control
    • names suggest that they are caring and supportive

11. Professor Peixoto

    • tries to be analytical and impartial about the text he is studying
    • does not take Offreds testimony seriously because of his inability to place it completely in a context of known historical facts