Offred Quotes Analysis

b) On her way back from the birth, Offred remembers (has a flashback) how Moira escaped the Red Centre and how no one has seen her since then. She is now laying down flat on her bed thinking about what she could have said or done to escape.
c) This quote relates to the theme changing fate. Offred thinks about how Moira escaped and starts reflecting on what she could have done. Unlike Offred, Moira often went out of her way – she fought back and took risks (if her plans failed, she could be sent to the Colonies) hoping to gain the freedom she wanted. Another theme projected in this quote is uncertainty and jeopardy. In the quote, Offred is constantly comparing and contrasting between the two sides when it comes to her actions, which shows
her indecisiveness and the amount of uncertainty in her current situation. Handmaids no longer belonged to themselves; they belong to the government. They belonged to their Commander. They always had to be careful of how they behaved since they were constantly being watched by the Eyes. People are being taken away in black vans to be executed and their bodies are later hung on the Wall. Offred constantly finds herself in jeopardy due to the amount of uncertainty. For example, if she tried to escape and succeeded, then it would be good for her. However, if she failed, she would be sent to the colonies.