Chapter 10
English Lit: Edexcel A Level The Handmaid's Tale, topic 2.4.3
Chapter 10 - Summary and Key Quotations
Offred says that most popular songs have become illegal in Gilead. She remembers lyrics to songs she used to sing. She reminisces about her previous life and her college days with Moira.
Aunt Lydia's sermon
- Her memories of sexual freedom blend with a sermon from Aunt Lydia about how sexual liberation only brought sin.
- Offred wonders whether her past ignorance is why somewhere like Gilead was able to be created.
FAITH and desire to prank
- Back in the room, she comments on how the only word she is allowed to read is FAITH, which is embroidered on a cushion in her room.
- She looks out of the window and sees the Commander stepping into a car, driven by Nick. She thinks back to the pranks she and Moira used to play in college and rebelliously wishes she had a water balloon to throw down on the Commander.
- She also realises she is curious about the Commander and feels "complicated" emotions towards him.
Key quotations
- "The spectacles women used to make of themselves"
- Aunt Lydia speaks out against sexual liberation.
- "We lived in the blank white spaces at the edge of the print"
- Offred, Moira, etc. lived in the margins of society. They didn't recognise themselves in the people they saw in the newspapers.
- "I ought to feel hatred for this man. I know I ought to feel it, but it isn"t what I feel"
- Offred's complex feelings for the Commander.
Key quotations (cont.)
- "FAITH. It is the only thing they have given me to read"
- This reflects the tight control Gilead has over language.
Test yourself on Chapter 10
What does Offred say has become illegal in Gilead in Chapter 10?
Offred reminisces about her past life and college days with who?