Handmaid\'s Tale Chp 3-19 PDF

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This only covers chapter 3-19, and gives examples of imagery, names of characters in each chapter, and there is a 3 paragraph summary at the end detailing what happened through 3-19...

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Iliana Uribe ENC1102 Dr. Barron Handmaid’s Tale Part One Annotations: Chapters 3-19 Chapter 3 

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Symbolism, Theme, Figurative Language o “The tulips are red, a darker crimson towards the stem, as if they have been cut and are beginning to heal there.” (pg.19)- The symbolism of red is spread throughout the novel. Red symbolizes passion, excitement, desire. o “I felt as if a protective arm was being drawn.” (pg.20) The Guardian symbolizes protection to the Handmaids. o “I didn’t want to appear attentive to her.” (pg.21) This shows the nature of the Handmaids. They are meant to serve the Commander and the Commander’s wife and provide them with a baby. Question: What is a Martha? (pg.22) Characters o Commander’s Wife(Serena Joy), Aunt Lydia, and narrator.

Chapter 4 

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Vocabulary o Obscurity (pg.28)- the state of being unknown, inconspicuous, or unimportant. o Surreptitiously (pg.29)- in a way that attempts to avoid notice or attention; secretively. o Sacrilege (pg.29)- violation or misuse of what is regarded as sacred. Symbolism, Theme, Figurative Language o “Here and there are worms, evidence of the fertility of the soil, caught by the sun, half dead; flexible and pink, like lips.” (pg.24)- Fertility is a major theme in the novel, and here the narrator is commenting on the fertility of the soil and how the worms in it are but, in a way, to look like lips. o “It’s black, of course, the color of prestige or a hearse, and long and sleek.” (pg.24)- Black in literature can symbolize elegance and mystery. The Commander at this time is not known by the reader. o “He begins to whistle. Then he winks…Perhaps he saw the look on my face and mistook it for something else.” (pg.25)- In this society woman are blamed for the overt sexuality of men and this is shown here. o “…short little steps like a trained pig’s, on its hind legs.”(pg.26) The narrator compares her too an animal who is trained which reflects how women in their society are viewed like objects that must obey. o “…wings around my face.” (pg.26)- What do the wings symbolize?

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o “They are supposed to show respect, because of the nature of our service.” (pg. 27) These women are treated like objects but still respected because of their service to give birth. o “I enjoy the power” (pg.29)- The narrator finds power in her sexuality and it makes her feel in control. Characters- Nick, Ofglen, narrator.

Chapter 5 

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Vocabulary o Spindly(pg.33)- long or tall and thin. o Trussed (pg.34)- supported with a truss or trusses. o Delegation (pg.34)- body of delegates or representatives; a deputation. o Diminutive (pg.34)- extremely or unusually small. Symbolism, Theme, Figurative Language o “Such freedom now seems almost weightless.”(pg.30) The freedom that they had in the old world seems to have no meaning to the narrator now because she is so accustomed to this new world. o “Women were not protected then.”(pg.31)- This sentence shows that this society is centered around the protection of women from men’s overt sexuality but in doing so they oppress women. o “Freedom to and freedom from. In the days of anarchy, it was freedom to. Now you are being given freedom from. Don’t underrate it.”(pg.31)- This society is taking the rights away from these women to protect them from men. o “…shape of a golden lily…”(pg.31)- Golden lilies symbolizes thankfulness and desire for enjoyment. o “…blouses with buttons down the front that suggested the possibilities of the word undone…They seemed to be able to choose.”(pg.32)- The narrator is talking about women from before who could choose how open they wished to be with their sexuality by referring to the openness of their blouses. o “…pregnant… She’s a magic presence to us, an object of envy and desire, we covet her. She’s a flag on a hilltop… we too can be saved.”(pg.32)- The Handmaid’s goal is to be pregnant. In pregnancy they can find salvation. o “…meat is expensive, and even the Commanders don’t have it every day.”(pg.33)- This shows the high ranking of the Commanders and that meat is a luxury that sometimes even they can’t afford. o “Their heads are uncovered, and their hair too is exposed, in all its darkness and sexuality.”(pg.34)- This shows that hair symbolizes sexuality. o “Then I think: I used to dress like that. That was freedom.” (pg.34)- The woman in this society are controlled so much that even what they wear is something that is controlled. o “But sometimes it’s as dangerous not to speak.”(pg.35)- Not speaking shows defiance.

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Characters o Moira, Ofglen, Janine, narrator

Chapter 6 

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Vocabulary o Piously(pg.37)- having or showing a dutiful spirit of reverence for God or an earnest wish to fulfill religious obligations. o Sentries (pg.38)- a soldier stationed to keep guard or to control access to a place. o Anachronisms(pg.40)- a thing belonging or appropriate to a period other than that in which it exists, especially a thing that is conspicuously old-fashioned. Symbolism, Theme, Figurative Language o “We have a choice.” (pg.37)- Small choices between these women are coveted and appreciated, even as small as walks. o “Inside it you can see paintings, of women in long somber dresses, their hair covered in whit caps, and of upright men, darkly clothed and unsmiling. Our ancestors.”(pg.38)- -this society is modeled after Catholicism (Nuns and Fathers). o “…bodies…on the Wall…so as many people as possible will have the chance to see them.”(pg.38) This society uses fear to control people in obeying laws. o “No women in her right mind, these days, would seek to prevent a birth, should she be so lucky to conceive.” (pg.39)- The people hung on the wall were killed because they had given abortions in the past. This society punishes those who give women the choice to conceive or to not, seeing as it is their job in this society. o “These bodies hanging on the Wall are time travelers…come here from the past.”(pg.40)- She compares the people on the wall to time travelers because they lived in a time very different to what’s happening now. Characters o Ofglen, Luke, narrator

Chapter 7  

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Vocabulary o Disconsolate(pg.43)- without consolation or comfort; unhappy. Symbolism, Theme, Figurative Language o “Tell, rather than write, because I have nothing to write with and writing is in any case forbidden.”(pg.44)- Handmaid’s aren’t allowed to express themselves, but are only allow to obey, they are objects to the eyes of the men in this society. o “Ill pretend you can hear me. But it’s no good, because I know you can’t.” (pg.44)- Women here are meant to be seen not heard. Characters o Narrator

Chapter 8

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Vocabulary o Quagmires(pg.49)- a soft boggy area of land that gives way underfoot. Symbolism, Theme, Figurative Language o “The Econowives do not like us.” (pg.47) The Handmaids are of higher status than the Econowives which do all of the jobs like the narrator put it. o “The tulips along the border are redder than ever.”(pg.47) Maybe this shows the narrators desire to be with Nick. o “She doesn’t make speeches anymore. She has become speechless…How furious she must be, now that she’s been taken at her word.”(pg.48) Serena has lost her voice, the narrator assumes that even if she was an advocate for patriarchy, she dislikes her place in society. o “They were empty, it was our hands that were supposed to be full, of the future; which could be held but not seen.”(pg.49) The future relies on the Handmaid’s service, but they are only vessels who have no control over it. Characters o Ofglen, Nick

Chapter 9 

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Symbolism, Theme, Figurative Language o “Nolite te bastardes carborundorum (Do not let the bastards grind you down).” (pg.54) This shows a theme of defiance, the Handmaid before the narrator took a stand. o “It was intended for whoever came next.” (pg.54)- this shows a theme of hope/rebellion to give courage to the next Handmaid. o “I am like a child here, there are some things I must not be told.” (pg.55)- The narrator is treated as a child who must obey her superiors. Characters o Rita, Narrator

Chapter 10 

Vocabulary o Lugubrious(pg.56)- looking or sounding sad and dismal.

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Symbolism, Theme, Figurative Language o “Such songs are not sung anymore in public, especially the ones that use words like free.”(pg.56)- The government of this society tries to diminish any hope of freedom by forbidding even the thought of it. o “Such things do not happen to nice women.”(pg.57)- Sexual abuse of women are blamed upon them based on their promiscuity. o “If I could spit, out the window, or throw something, the cushion for instance, I might be able to hit him.” (Pg.59)- This shows an act of defiance.

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Characters o Moira, Narrator

Chapter 11 

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Symbolism, Theme, Figurative Language o “It intersects me so that the doctor will never see my face. He deals with a torso only.” (pg.61)- This ties into the idea that women are considered objects only meant to conceive children. o “There is no such thing as a sterile an anymore, not officially. There are only women who are fruitful and women who are barren, that’s the law.”(pg.61)- This society places so much blame on women to the point that infertility of a man is no longer thinkable but if a woman can’t conceive, it is her fault and not the mans. o “Give me children or else I die. There’s more than one meaning to it.” (pg.61) This could mean the women no longer become useful, so they are tossed away like objects and not considered people anymore or that they actually die. o “I must leave the impression that I’m not offended, that I’m open to suggestion.” (pg.62)- Even though she was clearly uncomfortable during this situation, she couldn’t show that she was offended in fear that he would retaliate. Characters o Narrator, Creepy Doctor

Chapter 12 

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Symbolism, Theme, Figurative Language o “I don’t want to look at something that determines me so completely.”(pg.63)The narrator insinuates that her body defines her as a women. o “I am a national resource.”(pg.65)- Her fertility is a resource to this society because she conceives the new people. o “No coffee or tea though, no alcohol, Studies have been done.”(Pg.66)- the Handmaid are controlled down to their diet so that they can be protected ad fertile, they lose their rights. Characters o Narrator

Chapter 13 

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Vocabulary o Eunuch(pg.68)- a man who has been castrated, especially (in the past) one employed to guard the women's living areas at an oriental court. Symbolism, Theme, Figurative Language o “…About waiting, about objects not in use.”(pg.68)- the Narrator is referring to the ladies in the painting as objects. This shows the nature of women in this society and how they are only seen as objects that must conceive.

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o “But whose fault was it?... Her fault.”(pg.70)- This shows that this society blames men’s overt sexuality on the women even though they are clearly victims. Characters o Narrator, Moira, Aunt Helena, Janine

Chapter 14 

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Setting o (pg.79) the narrator mentions a Montreal satellite station gives the idea that this takes place in Canada. Symbolism, Theme, Figurative Language o “…of the innocence of female flesh not yet given over to the hairness and blood.”(Pg.77) the narrator is saying that females are innocent before they undergo puberty. o “Not mine, but my body’s, if there is a difference…Commander is subject to its whims.” (pg.78) The people around the narrator only care for her because of the services that she provides. Characters o Rita, Cora, Narrator

Chapter 15   

Vocabulary o Extrudes(pg.84)- thrust or force out Question: What is their society based around? Characters o Rita, Cora, Commander, Commander’s Wife.

Chapter 16  

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Vocabulary o Titillate(pg.90)- stimulate or excite (someone), especially in a sexual way. Important Themes o Acceptance- The narrator, the Commander, and the Commander’s wife all accept the ritual to be normal o Women’s Bodies as Instruments Question: Why must the Commander’s wife be there? Characters o Narrator, Commander, Commander’s wife.

Chapter 17  

Important Themes o Desire (pg.94) Characters o Nick and Narrator.

Chapter 18   

Vocabulary o Effigy- a sculpture or model of a person. Important Themes o The Hope of Freedom- The narrator dreams of one day being reunited with Luke. Characters o Luke and Narrator

Chapter 19 

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Vocabulary o Proclamation(pg.104)- a public or official announcement, especially one dealing with a matter of great importance. Important Themes o Sexuality- When the Wives pull up to the Ofwarren’s house, the narrator imagines that they talk about the Handmaid’s promiscuity. Characters o Rita, Cora, Narrator.

Summary: In the beginning of Chapter 3, Offred is taken to her new home by the Guardian who watches over her. She is not greeted kindly by the Commander’s wife but is told to come in. She soon realizes that the Commander’s Wife is Serena Joy. The Commander’s wife establishes that she is in power over the narrator. A little late the narrator and her partner Ofglen go shopping as they are expected to do so. Through this we get a glimpse of their everyday lives and how they live. In the situations that encounter, the narrator shows where the balance of power lies. During her time at the Commander’s house, the narrator meets Nick who lives above the garage. She suspects that he is a spy, because he is always risking his safety to talk to her. Later on, she attends a doctor visit. During the visit the doctor offers to impregnate her to save her live. She declines but says she has to try to seem as though she has an open mind because he holds power over her. Later on, in the novel, the narrator describes having to participate in a ceremony where she lies in between the legs of the Commander’s wife while the Commander has intercourse with her. This is considered an accepted event where no parties object but there is resent for it that comes from the narrator and the Commander’s wife. Towards the end of Chapter 19, birth mobiles show up at the Commander’s house to take the narrator and the Commander’s wife to a birthing....