Chapter 4: The Commander's Wife and Societal Roles

Chapter 4 of The Handmaid's Tale provides crucial backstory through Offred's flashback to her arrival at the Commander's house. This chapter delves deeper into the social hierarchy of Gilead and the complex relationships between different classes of women.

The flashback reveals Offred's first meeting with the Commander's Wife, Serena Joy. This interaction establishes the tense and uncomfortable dynamic between Handmaids and the wives of the elite.

Quote: "Whatever else the true story, the other story, I will tell you the one I prefer to tell, it's the one I repeat to myself, the one I want to be true. So I will tell you this story: I went to sleep in the hospital and when I woke up they had given me someone else's life."

Serena Joy's character is further developed as Offred recognizes her as a former religious television personality. This revelation adds layers to the complexity of Gilead's power structure and the roles women play in upholding the regime.

Highlight: The recognition of Serena Joy as a former public figure underscores the irony of her current position and the ways in which women in Gilead can be complicit in their own oppression.

The chapter also explores the theme of surveillance through Offred's uncertainty about Nick's true role. Her speculation about whether he might be an Eye (a spy for the regime) highlights the constant paranoia and distrust fostered by Gilead's oppressive system.

Vocabulary: Eye - A spy or secret police agent in the Gilead regime.

This chapter effectively deepens the reader's understanding of Gilead's social structure and the complex relationships between characters, while continuing to explore themes of power, surveillance, and the loss of personal identity.

Chapter 1: The Red Center

Chapter 1 of The Handmaid's Tale introduces readers to the dystopian world of Gilead through the eyes of Offred, the protagonist. The chapter is set in a former high school gymnasium, now repurposed as the "Red Center" where Handmaids are trained.

Offred describes the atmosphere of the gymnasium, noting how it feels layered with memories of past school events and romance. This juxtaposition of past normalcy with the current oppressive regime sets a haunting tone for the novel.

The strict control and surveillance in Gilead are immediately apparent. Armed guards called "Angels" patrol outside, while Aunts (female enforcers) oversee the Handmaids inside. The women are not allowed to leave except for supervised walks, highlighting their loss of freedom.

Highlight: The Handmaids' only form of rebellion is whispering to each other at night, sharing their real names and memories to maintain their sense of identity.

Offred's observations reveal the power dynamics at play. She notes how some Handmaids try to use their femininity to gain favor with the guards, recognizing that their bodies are their only source of power in this society.

Quote: "We learned to whisper almost without sound. In the semi-darkness we could stretch out our arms, when the Aunts weren't looking, and touch each other's hands across space."

This chapter effectively establishes the oppressive atmosphere of Gilead and introduces key themes in The Handmaid's Tale, including fertility, women's rights, and resistance against totalitarianism.