Some More Discussion Questions

Discussion questions: 

  • When scenes with the commander are retold, Offred’s recollection of events usually include Luke and how he feels. Does she feel guilty about not being able to be with him? If so, why should she feel guilty, since the Commander is in a position of power and gives her no choice? 
  • A central theme in the novel is how artificial reconstructions of events can change narratives and perceptions. Offred’s two retellings of her encounter with Nick shed light into this. Do you think Gilead came to be due to some sort of event being falsely retold? Is Atwood implying this?

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