7.2.1

The Commander

Test yourself

The Commander

The Commander is a paradox. He is Offred's oppressor, but also the character that shows her the most kindness and companionship. He gives her certain freedoms in his study that she does not have elsewhere.

Illustrative background for Offred's pity and loathingIllustrative background for Offred's pity and loathing ?? "content

Offred's pity and loathing

  • Offred appears to fluctuate between moments of rebellion against his character (like when she fantasises about throwing a water balloon down on to him from her window) and feeling pity for him as if he too is a victim of the regime of Gilead.
    • "Still, it must be hell, to be a man, like that. It must be fine. It must be hell."
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Danger for Offred

  • Even though Offred feels moments of empathy for the Commander, she never loses sight of his power and the consequences for her if their secret meetings were ever found out.
    • "But watch out, Commander, I tell him in my head. I've got my eye on you. One false move and I'm dead".
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The risk for Offred

  • The Commander's relationship with Offred is borne out of his loneliness and disconnection with his own wife.
  • He selfishly puts Offred at risk of punishment by choosing to meet with her to play Scrabble.
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Patriarchal ideology

  • The Commander shows some awareness of the harsh conditions that the Handmaids endure by giving Offred gifts of body lotion and forbidden reading material.
  • But he still espouses the patriarchal ideology that Gilead is founded upon when he asks Offred how she finds her life:
    • "You can't make an omelette without breaking eggs, he says" when explaining why life for some (including the Handmaids and most women in Gilead) is harder than others.
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Jezebel's and controversy

  • This hypocrisy is later strengthened when he takes Offred to Jezebel's. This shows that those in power in Gilead interpret its values fluidly.
  • The Commander is, at once, Offred's oppressor, rapist and her closest friend in the household. This is why her recollection of the film of the mistress of an SS Officer sticks in her mind so clearly, as she wonders: "How easy it is to invent a humanity".

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

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