Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-13-1-chapter-40 [Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [A Level](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level.md) › [English Lit](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature.md) › [Edexcel](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel.md) › [English Lit: Edexcel A Level The Handmaid's Tale](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale.md) › Chapter 40 # Chapter 40 English Lit: Edexcel A Level The Handmaid's Tale, topic 2.13.1 ## Chapter 40 - Summary and Key Quotations The chapter opens back in the Commander's house. Offred is disturbed at midnight by Serena Joy, who wants her to visit Nick to try and get pregnant. ### Encounter with Nick ![Encounter with Nick](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/c0dae7ed-47ef-4561-b860-5a6de37e3294/wall-bed-bedroom-room-.jpg) - Offred visits Nick and recounts two different stories of her sexual encounter. She cannot tell the reader which is true as she reminds us again that they are __"reconstructions"__. - She admits that she feels hugely guilty for enjoying this intimate encounter with Nick, as she still doesn't know whether Luke is alive or dead. ### "Myself... alive... human" !["Myself... alive... human"](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-11/294b33c2-0a23-404e-9362-a8d99fe6b5ea/goosebumps0.jpg) - **"Myself, my obverse"** - There are moments where Offred views Serena Joy as a sort of double of herself. - **"I'm alive in my skin"** - In Offred's first account of sleeping with Nick, she talks about the pleasure of being touched. She seems to be emotionally engaged in the process. - **"Some acknowledgement that he too is human"** - Offred finds emotionless sex dehumanising. Atwood stresses this by juxtaposing Offred's nights with the Commander and Nick. ### __"Didn't happen that way"__ ![__"Didn't happen that way"__](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/e3a65421-eda1-462e-b842-4fb6a88dce66/letter-mail-post.jpg) - **"It didn't happen that way either"** - Even Offred's alternative version of events is not a 'true' account. We're reminded that the entire novel is Offred's reconstruction - and that she is an unreliable narrator for that reason. ## Test yourself on Chapter 40 - Why does Offred feel guilty about enjoying her time with Nick? [Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/cb642fd7-ccab-4fbd-9651-ea110bffd26a/section/a78b5770-4908-434a-9f00-e55daf6d0887/session) - Previous topic: [2.12.9 Chapter 39](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-12-9-chapter-39.md) - Next topic: [2.14.1 Chapter 41](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-14-1-chapter-41.md) ## English Lit: Edexcel A Level The Handmaid's Tale contents ### 1 Author Background - 1.1 Margaret Atwood - [1.1.1 Margaret Atwood](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/1-1-1-margaret-atwood.md) ### 2 Chapter Summaries - 2.1 Chapter 1: Night I - [2.1.1 Chapter 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-1-1-chapter-1.md) - 2.2 Chapters 2-6: Shopping II - [2.2.1 Chapter 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-2-1-chapter-2.md) - [2.2.2 Chapter 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-2-2-chapter-3.md) - [2.2.3 Chapter 4](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-2-3-chapter-4.md) - [2.2.4 Chapter 5](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-2-4-chapter-5.md) - [2.2.5 Chapter 6](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-2-5-chapter-6.md) - 2.3 Chapter 7: Night II - [2.3.1 Chapter 7](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-3-1-chapter-7.md) - 2.4 Chapters 8-12: Waiting Room IV - [2.4.1 Chapter 8](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-4-1-chapter-8.md) - [2.4.2 Chapter 9](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-4-2-chapter-9.md) - [2.4.3 Chapter 10](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-4-3-chapter-10.md) - [2.4.4 Chapter 11](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-4-4-chapter-11.md) - [2.4.5 Chapter 12](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-4-5-chapter-12.md) - 2.5 Chapter 13: Nap V - [2.5.1 Chapter 13](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-5-1-chapter-13.md) - 2.6 Chapters 14-17: Household VI - [2.6.1 Chapter 14](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-6-1-chapter-14.md) - [2.6.2 Chapter 15](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-6-2-chapter-15.md) - [2.6.3 Chapter 16](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-6-3-chapter-16.md) - [2.6.4 Chapter 17](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-6-4-chapter-17.md) - 2.7 Chapter 18: Night VII - [2.7.1 Chapter 18](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-7-1-chapter-18.md) - 2.8 Chapters 19-23: Birth Day VIII - [2.8.1 Chapter 19](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-8-1-chapter-19.md) - [2.8.2 Chapter 20](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-8-2-chapter-20.md) - [2.8.3 Chapter 21](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-8-3-chapter-21.md) - [2.8.4 Chapter 22](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-8-4-chapter-22.md) - [2.8.5 Chapter 23](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-8-5-chapter-23.md) - 2.9 Chapter 24: Night IX - [2.9.1 Chapter 24](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-9-1-chapter-24.md) - 2.10 Chapters 25-29: Soul Scrolls X - [2.10.1 Chapter 25](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-10-1-chapter-25.md) - [2.10.2 Chapter 26](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-10-2-chapter-26.md) - [2.10.3 Chapter 27](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-10-3-chapter-27.md) - [2.10.4 Chapter 28](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-10-4-chapter-28.md) - [2.10.5 Chapter 29](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-10-5-chapter-29.md) - 2.11 Chapter 30: Night XI - [2.11.1 Chapter 30](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-11-1-chapter-30.md) - 2.12 Chapters 31-39: Jezebel's XII - [2.12.1 Chapter 31](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-12-1-chapter-31.md) - [2.12.2 Chapter 32](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-12-2-chapter-32.md) - [2.12.3 Chapter 33](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-12-3-chapter-33.md) - [2.12.4 Chapter 34](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-12-4-chapter-34.md) - [2.12.5 Chapter 35](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-12-5-chapter-35.md) - [2.12.6 Chapter 36](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-12-6-chapter-36.md) - [2.12.7 Chapter 37](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-12-7-chapter-37.md) - [2.12.8 Chapter 38](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-12-8-chapter-38.md) - [2.12.9 Chapter 39](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-12-9-chapter-39.md) - 2.13 Chapter 40: Night XIII - [2.13.1 Chapter 40](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-13-1-chapter-40.md) - 2.14 Chapters 41-45: Salvaging XIV - [2.14.1 Chapter 41](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-14-1-chapter-41.md) - [2.14.2 Chapter 42](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-14-2-chapter-42.md) - [2.14.3 Chapter 43](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-14-3-chapter-43.md) - [2.14.4 Chapter 44](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-14-4-chapter-44.md) - [2.14.5 Chapter 45](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-14-5-chapter-45.md) - 2.15 Chapter 46: Night XV - [2.15.1 Chapter 46](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-15-1-chapter-46.md) - 2.16 Historical Notes - [2.16.1 Historical Notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/2-16-1-historical-notes.md) ### 3 Dedications & Epigraph - 3.1 Dedications & Epigraph - [3.1.1 Dedications](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/3-1-1-dedications.md) - [3.1.2 Epigraph](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/3-1-2-epigraph.md) ### 4 Context - 4.1 Setting - [4.1.1 Setting](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/4-1-1-setting.md) - 4.2 Literary Context & Genre - [4.2.1 The Canterbury Tales & The Scarlet Letter](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/4-2-1-the-canterbury-tales-and-the-scarlet-letter.md) - [4.2.2 Links to Dystopian Fiction](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/4-2-2-links-to-dystopian-fiction.md) - 4.3 Political Context - [4.3.1 Berlin & Iran](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/4-3-1-berlin-and-iran.md) - [4.3.2 The New Right in America](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/4-3-2-the-new-right-in-america.md) - 4.4 Historical Context - [4.4.1 Puritan New England](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/4-4-1-puritan-new-england.md) - 4.5 Parallels: Read World & Gilead - [4.5.1 The Underground Femaleroad](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/4-5-1-the-underground-femaleroad.md) - [4.5.2 Children of Ham & Soul Scrolls](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/4-5-2-children-of-ham-and-soul-scrolls.md) - [4.5.3 Offred's Tattoo, Salvaging & Illegal Abortions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/4-5-3-offreds-tattoo-salvaging-and-illegal-abortions.md) - [4.5.4 Unwomen, Colonies & Giving Away Offred's Daughter](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/4-5-4-unwomen-colonies-and-giving-away-offreds-daughter.md) - 4.6 Religious Context - [4.6.1 Religious Context](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/4-6-1-religious-context.md) ### 5 Narrative Structure & Literary Techniques - 5.1 Narrative Structure - [5.1.1 Narrative Structure](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/5-1-1-narrative-structure.md) - 5.2 Literary Techniques - [5.2.1 Literary Techniques](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/5-2-1-literary-techniques.md) - [5.2.2 Colour Symbolism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/5-2-2-colour-symbolism.md) ### 6 Themes & Imagery - 6.1 Themes - [6.1.1 Survival & Language](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/6-1-1-survival-and-language.md) - [6.1.2 The Female Body](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/6-1-2-the-female-body.md) - 6.2 Imagery - [6.2.1 The Garden & Doubles](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/6-2-1-the-garden-and-doubles.md) ### 7 Characters - 7.1 Female Characters - [7.1.1 Offred & Moira](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/7-1-1-offred-and-moira.md) - [7.1.2 Offred's Mother, Ofglen & Ofwarren](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/7-1-2-offreds-mother-ofglen-and-ofwarren.md) - [7.1.3 Serena Joy & Aunt Lydia](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/7-1-3-serena-joy-and-aunt-lydia.md) - 7.2 Male Characters - [7.2.1 The Commander](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/7-2-1-the-commander.md) - [7.2.2 Nick & Luke](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/7-2-2-nick-and-luke.md) ### 8 Readings - 8.1 Readings of The Handmaid's Tale - [8.1.1 Eco-Criticism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/8-1-1-eco-criticism.md) - [8.1.2 Complacency](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/8-1-2-complacency.md) ### 9 Recap: Main Quotes - 9.1 Quotes by Chapter - [9.1.1 Chapters 1 & 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-1-chapters-1-and-2.md) - [9.1.2 Chapters 3 & 4](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-2-chapters-3-and-4.md) - [9.1.3 Chapters 5 & 6](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-3-chapters-5-and-6.md) - [9.1.4 Chapters 7 & 8](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-4-chapters-7-and-8.md) - [9.1.5 Chapters 9 & 10](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-5-chapters-9-and-10.md) - [9.1.6 Chapters 11 & 12](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-6-chapters-11-and-12.md) - [9.1.7 Chapters 13 & 14](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-7-chapters-13-and-14.md) - [9.1.8 Chapter 15 & 16](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-8-chapter-15-and-16.md) - [9.1.9 Chapters 17 & 18](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-9-chapters-17-and-18.md) - [9.1.10 Chapters 19 & 20](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-10-chapters-19-and-20.md) - [9.1.11 Chapters 21 & 22](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-11-chapters-21-and-22.md) - [9.1.12 Chapters 23 & 24](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-12-chapters-23-and-24.md) - [9.1.13 Chapters 25 & 26](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-13-chapters-25-and-26.md) - [9.1.14 Chapters 27 & 28](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-14-chapters-27-and-28.md) - [9.1.15 Chapters 29 & 30](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-15-chapters-29-and-30.md) - [9.1.16 Chapters 31 & 32](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-16-chapters-31-and-32.md) - [9.1.17 Chapters 33 & 34](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-17-chapters-33-and-34.md) - [9.1.18 Chapters 35 & 36](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-18-chapters-35-and-36.md) - [9.1.19 Chapters 37 & 38](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-19-chapters-37-and-38.md) - [9.1.20 Chapters 39 & 40](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-20-chapters-39-and-40.md) - [9.1.21 Chapters 41 & 42](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-21-chapters-41-and-42.md) - [9.1.22 Chapters 43 & 44](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-22-chapters-43-and-44.md) - [9.1.23 Chapters 45 & 46](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-23-chapters-45-and-46.md) - [9.1.24 Historical Notes & Epigraphs](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-1-24-historical-notes-and-epigraphs.md) - 9.2 Text Structure - Quotes - [9.2.1 Literary Techniques - Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-2-1-literary-techniques-quotes.md) - [9.2.2 Survival & Language -Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-2-2-survival-and-language-quotes.md) - [9.2.3 The Female Body - Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-2-3-the-female-body-quotes.md) - [9.2.4 The Garden & Doubles - Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-2-4-the-garden-and-doubles-quotes.md) - [9.2.5 Eco-Criticism & Complacency - Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/9-2-5-eco-criticism-and-complacency-quotes.md)