2.12.4
Chapter 34
Chapter 34 - Summary and Key Quotations
Chapter 34 - Summary and Key Quotations
In the Prayvaganza, arranged marriages happen between daughters and Angels. These are soldiers who fought in the war.
Commander's speech
Commander's speech
- As a part of the ceremony, a Commander makes a speech about how Gilead is a much safer and better society for women.
- This makes Offred think back to a meeting with her Commander when he asked for her personal opinion on how society had been created.
- Offred says that they "left out love" in the construction of Gilead. The Commander argues that society is much more efficient and safer for women.
Ofglen knows about meetings
Ofglen knows about meetings
- After the Prayvaganza, Ofglen lets Offred know that she is aware of her meetings with the Commander.
- She urges her to use this opportunity to find out as much information as she can for the May-Day resistance group.
Key quotations
Key quotations
- "Hard not to be impressed, but I make an effort"
- Offred tries to keep her mental freedom. She resists giving in to the regime by mocking it in her head.
- There is a Balm in Gilead"
- Traditional hymn, referencing Christ's power to heal.
- "There is a bomb in Gilead"
- Moira mocks the violence the Gilead forces use for control by punning this phrase.
Key quotations (cont.)
Key quotations (cont.)
- "What did we overlook? Love, I said"
- Atwood's prime message: humans need love for their well-being.
- "Just don't move"
- Women are not meant to enjoy sex in Gilead.
- "Something powerful in the whispering of obscenities"
- Taboo language is powerful because is shocks. Moira is right to suggest that language can be used to undermine those in power.
1Author Background
1.1Margaret Atwood
2Chapter Summaries
2.1Chapter 1: Night I
2.2Chapters 2-6: Shopping II
2.3Chapter 7: Night II
2.4Chapters 8-12: Waiting Room IV
2.5Chapter 13: Nap V
2.6Chapters 14-17: Household VI
2.7Chapter 18: Night VII
2.8Chapters 19-23: Birth Day VIII
2.9Chapter 24: Night IX
2.10Chapters 25-29: Soul Scrolls X
2.11Chapter 30: Night XI
2.12Chapters 31-39: Jezebel's XII
2.13Chapter 40: Night XIII
2.14Chapters 41-45: Salvaging XIV
2.15Chapter 46: Night XV
2.16Historical Notes
3Dedications & Epigraph
3.1Dedications & Epigraph
4Context
4.1Setting
4.2Literary Context & Genre
4.3Political Context
4.4Historical Context
4.5Parallels: Read World & Gilead
4.6Religious Context
5Narrative Structure & Literary Techniques
5.1Narrative Structure
5.2Literary Techniques
6Themes & Imagery
6.2Imagery
7Characters
7.1Female Characters
7.2Male Characters
8Readings
8.1Readings of The Handmaid's Tale
Jump to other topics
1Author Background
1.1Margaret Atwood
2Chapter Summaries
2.1Chapter 1: Night I
2.2Chapters 2-6: Shopping II
2.3Chapter 7: Night II
2.4Chapters 8-12: Waiting Room IV
2.5Chapter 13: Nap V
2.6Chapters 14-17: Household VI
2.7Chapter 18: Night VII
2.8Chapters 19-23: Birth Day VIII
2.9Chapter 24: Night IX
2.10Chapters 25-29: Soul Scrolls X
2.11Chapter 30: Night XI
2.12Chapters 31-39: Jezebel's XII
2.13Chapter 40: Night XIII
2.14Chapters 41-45: Salvaging XIV
2.15Chapter 46: Night XV
2.16Historical Notes
3Dedications & Epigraph
3.1Dedications & Epigraph
4Context
4.1Setting
4.2Literary Context & Genre
4.3Political Context
4.4Historical Context
4.5Parallels: Read World & Gilead
4.6Religious Context
5Narrative Structure & Literary Techniques
5.1Narrative Structure
5.2Literary Techniques
6Themes & Imagery
6.2Imagery
7Characters
7.1Female Characters
7.2Male Characters
8Readings
8.1Readings of The Handmaid's Tale
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