2.12.5

Chapter 35

Test yourself

Chapter 35 - Summary

The chapter opens with Offred recounting again the story of her failed escape plan with her family.

Illustrative background for Escaping with LukeIllustrative background for Escaping with Luke ?? "content

Escaping with Luke

  • She tells the reader that they were at a checkpoint. The border guard seemed suspicious and went to make a telephone call.
  • Luke drove away from the checkpoint at full speed because he was scared they would be captured. They later decided to leave the car and go on foot into the woods.
Illustrative background for The Commander's questionIllustrative background for The Commander's question ?? "content

The Commander's question

  • At this point, Offred decides not to tell us what happened next but to flash forward to the Commander and a question he asked her about love in pre-Gilead times.
  • She is sad about how much potential her life used to have before Gilead placed restrictions upon her body and her mind.
Illustrative background for Offred sees daughterIllustrative background for Offred sees daughter ?? "content

Offred sees daughter

  • Serena Joy keeps her promise and shows Offred a picture of her daughter, holding hands with a new family.
  • Offred instantly regrets seeing this image as she realises that her daughter will have forgotten her and is heartbroken.
  • The chapter ends on Offred eating her evening meal and thinking that she is never given a knife to eat with.

Chapter 35 - Key Quotations

Here are five key quotations from Chapter 35:

Illustrative background for Key quotations Illustrative background for Key quotations  ?? "content

Key quotations

  • "An invalid … no valid passport"
    • Atwood plays on the word "invalid" - meaning both someone who is not well and something not accepted.
  • "I don't want to be telling this story"
    • This is a reminder than Offred is telling a story – a construct. We wonder who Offred is telling her story to.
  • Why fight? ... That will never do"
    • Offred knows that becoming passive means letting the regime win.
Illustrative background for Key quotations (cont.)Illustrative background for Key quotations (cont.) ?? "content

Key quotations (cont.)

  • "Is, I say. Is, is"
    • Offred corrects herself when she refers to Luke in the past tense. She doesn't want to lose hope that Luke lives.
  • "I am a blank here, between parentheses"
  • Parentheses are asides in sentences. Offred feels like she's marginalised and living on the outside of this world.

Jump to other topics

1Author Background

1.1Margaret Atwood

2Chapter Summaries

3Dedications & Epigraph

3.1Dedications & Epigraph

4Context

5Narrative Structure & Literary Techniques

6Themes & Imagery

7Characters

8Readings

8.1Readings of The Handmaid's Tale

Go student ad image

Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring

  • Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home

  • Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs

  • 30+ school subjects covered

Book a free trial lesson