The Handmaid’s Tale

The Commander is Offred's master, husband to his wife, and potential impregnator. Referenced in relation to color‑coded umbrellas and the household hierarchy The Commander is referenced indirectly through his Wife’s actions and comments, confirming his marital relationship and the household hierarchy. Commander is implied to be in his quarters and owns an expensive black car. Appears unexpectedly in the hallway, avoids contact with Offred, nods, and leaves. The Commander is seen briefly, described with new physical details and driving the Whirlwind. Referenced as head of the household and the symbolic authority of the house. Participates in the Ceremony, described with new sensory and behavioral details. Offred learns from Nick that the Commander wants to see her in his office the next day. Absent from the ceremony, presumed away. Invites Offred into his forbidden study, plays Scrabble with her, and asks her to kiss him, revealing a vulnerable side. Reveals personal interaction desires and a game The Commander maintains a clandestine sexual and social arrangement with Offred, meets her after dinner using a hat‑signal, gifts her a vintage Vogue magazine, and supplies hand lotion, while displaying limited awareness of surveillance. The Commander remains detached during the Ceremony, mentally elsewhere, and almost breaches protocol by reaching for Offred’s face, highlighting his ability to expose her. The Commander is referenced in memories and in the context of his authority over Compucards. The Commander reveals he is a “sort of scientist,” shows his collection of dictionaries, plays Scrabble with Offred, and explains the Latin phrase as a joke. His earlier statement about individuality is recalled The Commander drank scotch with water, used a short‑wave radio to listen to Radio Free America, and made a comment about Cubans. The Commander supplies Offred with the costume items, makeup, a mirror, and a covert pass, and arranges the clandestine excursion through checkpoints. Commander flaunts authority, offers drink, and guides Offred through the club Offred confirms the Commander smuggled her into the washroom for the night The Commander gives Offred a room key, joins her in the hotel room, touches her, and discusses the upcoming encounter. Commander appears in a dark apartment, lights a cigarette, offers one to Offred, and engages in a sexual act without preliminaries. The Commander appears with grey hair, looking worried and helpless, and seems to be in conflict with Serena Joy as Offred is taken away.

Offred is a Handmaid in Gilead, recalling her past and forced to bear children for the Commander. Narrator describes her surroundings, clothing, and routine in the Commander’s house Offred recounts her first encounter with the Commander’s Wife, describing the garden, the front‑back door protocol, the red vinyl bag she must carry, and the Wife’s knitting and cigarettes, revealing new details of her daily life in the Commander’s house. Narrator walks the estate, observes Nick and interacts with Ofglen, noting details of her environment and the regime's rules. Narrates a street walk through Gilead’s central district, visits shops, encounters a pregnant Janine, and interacts with tourists and an interpreter. Offred narrates her solitary night, reflects on a paper about date rape, witnesses a fire where women burn books, interacts with her mother, and sees unsettling images in flames. Offred walks with Ofglen, sees new executions, encounters the Commander and his Wife, interacts with Nick, Rita, and Cora, and reflects on a funeral of Econowives. Explores her new assigned room, discovers a hidden scratched message, and reflects on her past with Luke and former hotel experiences. Offred reflects on forbidden songs, hears Serena's voice, observes the Commander and Nick, and contemplates complex feelings toward the Commander. Offred undergoes her compulsory monthly medical exam, revealing the procedure’s details and the doctor’s illicit offer. Offred notes a distinctive tattoo on her ankle and describes the stark, stripped‑down bathroom details. Narrates gymnasium catnap, Testifying ceremony, and secret washroom meeting with Moira Reveals she has a forbidden real name she keeps hidden like a treasure, describing it as an amulet from a distant past. Describes the Ceremony from her position, noting sensory details and internal thoughts. Describes her nightly ritual of hiding butter in her shoe, using it as skin moisturizer, and secretly wandering the house; meets Nick who tells her the Commander wants to see her in his office tomorrow. Offred reflects on isolation, love, belief in a resistance, and an anticipated secret message from Luke. Narrates a drugged dream, observes the wreath, missing cushions, eats an egg, rides the red Birthmobile, hears sirens, and encounters Ofwarren and a Guardian. Narrates the ceremony for the Commander’s Wife, watches protest movies, and reflects on her mother and friends. Offred experiences Janine's birth ceremony, feels extreme exhaustion, breast leakage, and hears the baby named Angela; notices possible spiked grape juice and the Commander’s Wife's presence. Narrates a reconstruction of her thoughts, reflecting on forgiveness as power, playing Scrabble with the Commander, and his request for a kiss, while contemplating escape. Provides detailed self‑description and current psychological state Offred narrates a morning mishap with Cora, a lie about breakfast, and reveals a secret arrangement with the Commander involving nightly visits signaled by Nick’s hat, as well as interactions with Serena Joy, Rita, and Cora. Offred experiences new emotional complexity during the Ceremony, feeling awkward, shy, jealous of Serena Joy, guilty about intruding, and aware of a subtle power over her. Offred walks with Ofglen through a hot summer street, reflects on the empty Wall, discusses faith and prayer machines, witnesses an Eye vehicle arrest, and notes changes in the city’s shops and stores. Offred recounts losing her library job, her Compucard being frozen, and her attempts to secure money for her family. Offred discovers and records the phrase “Nolite te bastardes carborundorum,” learns its joke origin, writes it with the Commander's pen, feels envy toward the pen, and plays Scrabble with the Commander. Reflects on night as a heavy stone and pulls a curtain between herself and Nick Offred reflects on aging, loss of energy, yearning for mundane domestic conflicts, and observes new hangings on the Wall. Offred receives a match from Rita, contemplates smoking, considers burning the house, and reflects on the Commander's recent drinking and radio habits. Offred attends a district-level Prayvaganza held in a covered courtyard, observes the scarlet rope segregation, and learns disturbing news about Janine’s recent miscarriage and a shredded baby. Narrator reflects on being a refugee from the past, recounts a frantic border‑crossing attempt with Luke and their daughter, and receives a Polaroid from the Commander’s Wife. Offred dons a feathered, sequined garment, applies makeup, wears Serena Joy’s mirror and a light‑blue Wives’ cloak, and leaves the house with the Commander on a secret outing. Offred navigates the officer's club, observes costumes, and seeks the washroom Offred encounters Moira in the women's washroom and reveals she is a temporary visitor smuggled in by her Commander Offred narrates her time in a hotel room, prepares for an encounter with the Commander, reflects on past memories, and plans to return home before midnight. Offred removes spangles, leaves house at night, enters garage, meets the Commander in a dark apartment, smokes a cigarette, and has a sexual encounter. Offred recounts her repeated secret encounters with Nick, detailing how she sneaks to his room, her feelings of jealousy, and her desire to stay with him despite the risk. Offred attends a women's Salvaging ceremony, notes red velvet cushions without Faith, observes a tar‑smelling rope, sees a stage with three wooden posts, hears Aunt Lydia's speech and feedback whine, and hears bells tolling. Witnesses a Particicution, sees a convicted Guardian rapist, observes Ofglen's betrayal revelation, and watches Janine after the execution. Offred eats a simple lunch, shops at Milk and Honey and All Flesh, observes the new Ofglen and the hanging women on the Wall Experiences relief after a woman's death, contemplates self‑sacrifice, confronts Serena Joy, and observes Nick's actions. Offred contemplates suicide, hears a black van, is approached by Nick who identifies as part of Mayday, and leaves the house escorted by Nick and two Angels to the van while observing the Commander and Serena Joy in the hallway.

One of the women exchanging names in the dormitory Alma whispers to Offred, offering to look for her and asks about her real name.

Guards positioned outside the fenced football field, objects of fear Angels are referenced as the recipients of the Wife’s knitted scarves and as frontline forces, indicating their continued presence in the household’s militarized society. Four Guardians (Angels) are stationed at the Prayvaganza entrance, each armed with a sub‑machine gun and described as mannequin‑like. The Angels are described as a heavy contingent of special‑detail guards with helmets, dark plexiglass visors, long clubs, and gas‑canister guns, forming a cordon around the Wall for potential hysteria. Two Angel guards arrive in a black van, detach, and escort Offred to the van.

First appearance as a patrol guard alongside Aunt Sara Stands guard at the washroom entrance Observed at the ceremony, identified as Gyn Ed teacher. Aunt Elizabeth leads the breathing chant, signals the lights to dim, assists Janine, catches and washes the newborn, and smiles at the Handmaids after the birth. Aunt Elizabeth is victim of Moira's assault in the washroom and later detained in the furnace room before returning to work. Moira describes having tied up Aunt Elizabeth behind the furnace during her escape

First appearance as a patrol guard in the gymnasium with an electric cattle prod

One of the women exchanging names in the dormitory Wet the floor and is removed by the Aunts

One of the women exchanging names in the dormitory Seen pregnant in the market, recognized as a former Red Centre inmate. Testifies about a past gang‑rape and is publicly shamed Appears in the Birthmobile as "Ofwarren", cries, hugs Offred, and displays emotional vulnerability. Appears as Ofwarren, the Commander’s Wife of Warren, prepared for childbirth. Janine undergoes ‘transition’, gives birth to a healthy girl named Angela, experiences multiple contractions, uses a portable toilet, and is moved to the birthing stool under Aunt Elizabeth’s care. Janine questions Aunt Lydia about Moira and learns Moira is no longer with us. Janine appears thin and pale at the Prayvaganza; Offred learns she has suffered a second miscarriage and that her latest baby was destroyed. Appears after the Particicution, covered in blood, smiling, holding a clump of blond hair, and speaks to Offred.

One of the women exchanging names in the dormitory; later narrator

One of the women exchanging names in the dormitory Moira appears in Offred's imagined dialogue, suggesting going for a beer and describing her attire and demeanor. Offred imagines Moira as similar to the unknown writer, attributing youthful, freckled traits. Moira visits, offers cigarettes, discusses underground business, and reveals personal connections. Moira is recalled for a comment about pantyhose. Reunites with Offred through a hidden hole in the washroom and shares a cigarette Comments that the graphic movies were made with models. Offred whispers low to a woman asking if she is looking for Moira during the chanting. Moira's violent confrontation with Aunt Elizabeth ends with Aunt Lydia stating she is no longer with us, implying death. Moira contacts Offred by phone and works for a women’s collective publishing birth‑control material. Quoted on controlling behavior despite uncontrollable feelings Offred recalls Moira’s attitude, noting she would call the situation “chickenshit.” Moira appears in a disheveled rabbit costume and signals Offred with a secret gesture Moira appears, hugs Offred, discusses her temporary status, and recounts her extensive escape from the Centre Moira appears in Offred’s dialogue, commenting on the mother’s presumed death and offering sarcastic remarks.

Provides ideological commentary about the household and privileges Aunt Lydia appears in Offred’s recollection, advising on speech etiquette and lobbying for the use of front doors for Handmaids, reinforcing her role as a disciplinarian. Recalls her teaching about waiting and the seed metaphor during Offred’s walk. Quotes about two kinds of freedom. Quotes doctrine about flesh, wives, and forgiveness while Offred observes. Aunt Lydia is shown handling a dead rodent and using the euphemistic word "things" while discussing clothing and summer dresses. Aunt Lydia delivers warnings about vulnerability, spiritual poverty, and cites religious references. Guides Offred’s exercise routine and labels the rest period a "catnap" Delivers a lecture on rarity, value, and compares women to pearls, ending with a promise to shape them. Delivers a lecture on sacrifice and transitional generation during the ceremony. Aunt Lydia briefly raises her head, noticing a break in the chant. Aunt Lydia recounts Moira's violent escape attempt and declares Moira is no longer with us. Shares a doctrinal statement attributed to her about men Aunt Lydia is quoted recalling future promises for women after the current generation. Aunt Lydia delivers a speech announcing the omission of detailed crime accounts at Salvagings and declares the Salvagings will proceed without further ado, while appearing nervous and adjusting the microphone. Conducts the Particicution, announces rules, blows whistle twice, and oversees the execution.

Discusses options such as the Colonies and Unwomen Martha who mentions Nick in conversation with Rita. Enters the kitchen, remarks on the chicken size, appears younger, and comments on the meal. Appears with Rita, comments on food supplies such as eggs and chicken. Cora supervises the bathroom and later serves Offred a covered meal. Enters first, wipes her hands on her apron, resents the bell and mentions other chores. Assists Offred with her cloak, smiles, and urges her to hurry. Expresses desire for a birthday celebration with a child, serves Offred dinner, and inquires about Offred’s baby. Cora drops the breakfast tray, assists Offred after her fainting episode, cleans the mess, flushes broken eggs, lies about the incident, and provides a cloth for orange juice. Cora, Rita’s companion, appears at the kitchen with Offred, commenting on food and the situation. Cora is mentioned as the one who lights fires in cooler weather and later arrives to comment on food. Knocks at Offred’s door with a tray, but the visitor is actually Serena Joy. Cora is referenced as a possible waking person in the house. Cora continues delivering monthly sanitary napkins and shows a shy yet knowing smile toward Offred’s secret activities. Cora is crying and expresses that she was Offred’s hope and now will always be childless.

Martha who prepares bread and distributes tokens Martha who talks about Nick and shares observations with Offred. Prepares carrots in the kitchen, receives a chicken from Offred, and comments on "Bath day". Interacts with Offred, mentions an underground grapevine, and declines to share certain information. Rita is briefly mentioned humming while kneading. Scowls at Offred, stands behind her, blames Offred for wasting her time. Delivers a dinner tray of beef stew and notes gaps in Offred’s memory of the day’s events. Rita assists with cleaning the breakfast spill, provides a cloth for orange juice, and makes a grumpy comment about the household’s clumsiness. Rita, a Martha at Offred’s house, assists with cigarettes and discusses the frozen Compucard situation. Rita gives Offred a match, offers an ice cube, and mentions Cora's role in lighting fires, revealing her key‑bunch and cupboard habits. Rita is referenced as a possible waking person in the house.

Introduced as the dominant female of the Commander’s household; she tends a large garden, directs a Guardian, knits elaborate scarves for the Angels, smokes black‑market cigarettes, and enforces entry rules for the new Handmaid. Sits in the garden; Offred reflects on her past public profile, assassination attempts, and current silence. Serena Joy's voice is heard on a disc while she knits, recalling her former glory. Detailed description of her sky‑blue dress, Lily of the Valley perfume, smoking habit, and her sour interaction during the Ceremony. Acts as the Handmaid’s companion during the Ceremony, showing control and emotion. Described as having meticulous, tidy habits and a reluctance to discard items. General reference to the wives of Commanders, including the Wife of Warren. The Commander’s Wife arrives in a white nightgown with white socks and blue fuzzy slippers, sits behind Janine on the birthing stool, and announces the baby’s name Angela. Mentioned as possibly being at the house where the Birth took place. Serena Joy is seen kneeling in the garden cutting seed pods, preparing cakes, pies, and mint jelly, visiting other sick Commanders’ Wives, and remains unaware of the Commander’s secret arrangement with Offred. Serena Joy’s relationship with Offred grows more complicated; Offred now feels jealousy, guilt, and perceives Serena as both malicious and vulnerable. Offred’s husband mentions the Commander’s Wife while describing family life. Serena Joy converses with Offred about knitting, pregnancy, and arranging a covert conception. Brings a Polaroid print to Offred, warns it can only be kept briefly, and appears after a mistaken knock at the door. Serena Joy’s mirror and cloak are used by Offred, revealing the Wife’s belongings are being borrowed for the disguise. Serena Joy is referenced as planning to have Offred serviced later that night and as being present in the household. Commander’s Wife meets Offred at midnight in the kitchen, whispers instructions to leave, claims Commander is upstairs, and waits for Offred. Confronts Offred on the steps, accuses her, drops her cloak revealing purple sequins, and threatens her with a cane without striking. Serena Joy stands in the hallway, looks incredulous, and later calls the Commander ‘Bitch’ after he is left behind.

Guardian assigned to the household, seen washing the car, not issued a woman, trades on the black market. Polishes the Whirlwind in the driveway, whistles, and greets Offred with "Nice walk?". Nick is observed at the car, with detailed description of his attire and actions. Stands behind Offred, his boot repeatedly touches her foot, laughing and moving his foot close to hers. Enters Offred's room at night, reveals the Commander's request to see her, and explains he is also breaking rules by being there. Nick’s hat condition serves as the signal for Offred’s secret nightly meetings with the Commander. Offred imagines Nick arriving in the yard while she reflects on past encounters. Seen at the partially open window at night, looks at Offred and then leaves Nick gives Offred a brief silent signal outside her house. Nick appears at checkpoints, greets the Commander, and watches Offred from the car, confirming his role in the outing. Nick continues to allow Offred clandestine visits, showing a relaxed demeanor, offering small gifts, and hinting at a future child together. Nick is seen washing the car, hat on sideways, avoids eye contact with Offred Seen washing the car and whistling, later stops whistling as Offred approaches. Nick is revealed as a private Eye/Guardian who assists Offred’s escape, calling her by her real name and urging her to go with Mayday before escorting her out.

Offred’s walking partner, a Handmaid with brown eyes, slightly plumper, wears red gloves, has been partnered for two weeks. Walks silently beside Offred, avoids looking at people, remains wary during the market visit. Ofglen suggests passing by the church, bows in prayer, hints at personal grief, and appears to act for show. Accompanies Offred past the Wall, shares the farewell "Under His Eye", shows ambiguous emotion at the Econowife funeral, and departs quietly. Offred notices Ofglen sitting two seats away, helps pass a cup of grape juice during the ceremony. Ofglen appears more comfortable with Offred, shares a direct stare, asks about God and prayer wheels, advises safety, and helps navigate the street toward the river. Ofglen shares secret information about the resistance and the Wall hangings. Ofglen shares detailed rumors about Janine’s pregnancies and the fate of her recent baby while kneeling beside Offred at the Prayvaganza. Ofglen’s involvement wanes; she whispers less, focuses on weather, and appears to give up on Offred. Pulls Offred into the second line of the Particicution, later claims the condemned man was a political prisoner and that she knocked him out. A new woman assuming the role of Ofglen appears, thinner with a beige face, greets Offred with ritual greetings

Blue‑suited interpreter blocks Offred, explains customs to Japanese tourists, and requests a photograph.

Hanged men wearing white coats identified as doctors who performed abortions before the regime.

Guardians now guard the gates of the Wall, replacing earlier Angels. Red‑armband Guardians escort Offred to the doctor and wait in the hallway. One Guardian drives the red Birthmobile, salutes, locks the doors, and sits beside the driver.

Offred notes relief that the hanged men are not Luke. Recalled as being "in flight from his wife" and as an imaginary figure for Offred during past memories. Luke is referenced in Offred's recollection about rodents. Luke shares his beliefs about gendered meat consumption and teases his mother while grocery shopping. Appears in Offred's escape plan, driving the car, detailing forged passports, border crossing strategy, and emotional state during the trip. Luke's possible fate is described in detail, including a presumed death scenario and an alternate survival scenario. Referenced in Offred’s recollection about a conversation with her mother. Offred reflects that Luke would not be among the women present at the birthing scene. Luke is Offred's husband, a worker who later comforts her after she loses her job. In flashback he finds the cat under the bed, takes it to the garage and likely kills it before the escape Drives the car during the border‑crossing escape, reverses, speeds away, and then flees on foot with Offred and their daughter. Luke is recalled as having helped search for Offred’s mother and confronting the superintendent.

Offred's mother appears during the fire scene, showing a surprising change in appearance and interacting with Offred about the burning magazines. Offred's mother owned a cassette tape and a scratchy machine that played outlawed music. Brings a tray of food and medicine to Offred's room and checks on her health. Featured in a protest film shown during the ceremony. Offred attempts to call her mother, who does not answer. Offred reflects on her mother’s health, habits, and mysterious disappearance.

One of two bodies on the Wall labeled "Gender Treachery", still in Guardian uniform with purple placard.

Second body on the Wall labeled "Gender Treachery", similarly dressed.

One of three new bodies displayed on the Wall, still wearing a black cassock forced on for the trial.

The woman who scratched the phrase "Nolite te bastardes carborundorum" in the cupboard for a future occupant.

A new male doctor, a specialist with a scar and pistol, conducts the exam and proposes a forbidden sexual act to Offred. A doctor steps out of the van after the birth to ask Offred if everything was all right.

A nurse records Offred’s name and pass number in the Compudoc system before the exam.

Leads the Testifying ceremony and comments on Janine’s story

Offred’s oldest friend who accuses her of being pro‑natalist.

Commander’s Wife of Warren present at the celebration, being prepared for childbirth.

A newborn girl delivered by Janine, named Angela by the Commander’s Wife, is healthy and placed in the Wife’s arms.

The library director abruptly announces layoffs, including Offred and her coworkers.

Offred’s daughter is mentioned attending school and later being picked up by Luke. Is described as asleep in the car during the escape attempt and referenced metaphorically as being in a ‘zoo of mangy animals’.

An older Aunt supervising the women’s washroom, armed with a cattle prod

Former lecture hall and dormitory buildings now belong to the Eyes, the regime’s surveillance organization.

Brought before the Handmaids for Particicution; described as a bruised, drunk former Guardian accused of rape and murder of a pregnant woman’s baby.