Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/edexcel/the-handmaids-tale/6-1-1-survival-and-language [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) › Survival & Language # Survival & Language English Lit: Edexcel A Level The Handmaid's Tale, topic 6.1.1 ## Themes - Survival "By telling you anything at all I'm at least believing in you, I believe you're there, I believe you into being." ### Storytelling for survival ![Storytelling for survival](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-11/8af5af7c-b9d3-47e5-ad5d-3938db25c531/radio-.jpg) - Offred uses storytelling as an act of survival. She records her memories, feelings, observations and transgressions on the audiotapes in the hope that someone, someday, will hear them and know about her struggle. ### Resistance and reconstruction ![Resistance and reconstruction](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/815c4c02-fb6a-4a63-bee6-cb458e01ba69/Uprising-Fist-Power-Rebellion-Rebel-Resistance-.jpg) - The reader is told in Chapter 1 that it is forbidden for the Handmaids to speak. - This means Offred's tale is an act of resistance against the regime. - The Historical Notes indicate that Offred recorded her story after her escape, which makes the content and recollections a reconstruction. These recollections have then been reconstructed by the Academics for the Symposium in 2195. ### Oppressed woman ![Oppressed woman](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-11/adf4d8fe-823f-4a8b-be22-6856a0213f2f/sad-crying-depressed-.jpg) - Offred's voice is symbolic of defiance and resistance to a totalitarian regime. - Her narrative gives insight into the public and private life of a woman who was physically oppressed by a patriarchal theocratic government. ### Offred's self-consciousness ![Offred's self-consciousness](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/e6a1b233-8587-4864-88c2-5db4ce7bc7c6/question-mark-1872665_1920.jpg) - Offred is conscious that her narrative is 'reconstructed'. - Atwood may be encouraging us to question what a 'true' account of history really is, and encourage us to not just accept as true what we're told. - In her questioning, Offred stays hopeful that there is an alternative version of events which she will find if she keeps on searching. ### Quotation about survival ![Quotation about survival](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-05/05d46920-9395-4392-96bf-9b14e6277178/books-.jpg) - "I would like to believe this is a story I'm telling. I need to believe it. I must believe it. Those who can believe that such stories are only stories have a better chance. If it's a story I'm telling, then I have control over the ending. Then there will be an ending, to the story, and real life will come after it. I can pick up where I left off." ## Themes - Language The theme of language is key to _The Handmaid's Tale_. Language helps Offred stay sane in a regime that tries to silence every thought. ### Language as power ![Language as power](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/75fc9cf5-babd-40cd-9f57-679595668caf/Power-Woman-Strength-Sun.jpg) - Language is power, especially for those who can manipulate language to reflect their ideological beliefs. - This means language becomes a tool in the novel to oppress and to liberate people. ### Oppression of the Handmaids ![Oppression of the Handmaids](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/86a72b7b-7830-46a8-acee-257098622237/bible-religion-exorcise-.jpg) - The Handmaids can only speak to each other in accepted Biblical phrases (__"Blessed be the Fruit"__; __"Under his eye"__). - These phrases remind them of their reproductive role and the threat of surveillance/punishment. - They have to listen to Biblical passages read by the Commander/Aunts which reinforce their oppression under the name of God. - They have to listen to the government-owned news channels' propaganda about how successful the Gileadean forces have been in the wars in the former USA. ### Offred's satirical use of words ![Offred's satirical use of words](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/27b953cf-9db4-4813-bf60-7fb7d47b02b2/words-letters-.jpg) - Offred uses language in a very creative and satirical way when recalling moments from her past. - She subverts the patriarchal ideology that influences most language in Gilead. - "The difference between lie and lay. Lay is always passive. Even men used to say, I'd like to get laid. Though sometimes they said, I'd like to lay her. All this is pure speculation. I don't really know what men used to say. I had only their words for it." ### Offred __"making"__ words ![Offred __"making"__ words](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-07/ac42ffc5-08d6-4114-abd2-f0fd83e5a4b7/letters-words-.jpg) - When Offred plays Scrabble with the Commander, the reader sees the joy and delight she feels when she is given access to __"making"__ her own words. She is usually completely deprived of any reading material, apart from FAITH embroidered on the cushion in her room. - Atwood uses gustatory (taste) imagery to show how starved of language and intellectual stimulation Offred is: - __"I would like to put them in my mouth...The letter C. Crisp, slightly acid on the tongue, delicious"__ ### Symbolism of Scrabble ![Symbolism of Scrabble](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-05/722f0560-42a6-41c6-8977-89835fea320e/wood-words-.jpg) - Offred makes high scoring symbolic words: - She spells LARYNX, which refers to the voice box which makes noise in the human throat. Offred may be suggesting that she, as a Handmaid, is voiceless and is limited to what she can say. - A ZYGOTE is when a sperm and an egg fertilise in the first stages of conception - ironically, the only time Offred and the Commander create a Zygote is on a Scrabble board. ## Test yourself on Survival & Language - What is the reader aware that the Handmaids CANNOT do from Chapter 1? [Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/cb642fd7-ccab-4fbd-9651-ea110bffd26a/section/2d1aa745-f68d-4cb2-aa03-c151d456b493/session) - Previous topic: [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) - Next topic: [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) ## 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)