The Handmaid’s Tale: Imagery 3 key examples

In Chapter 1, Offred uses imagery to describe a gymnasium wherein she and other women were made to sleep on cots. It is implied that this occurred during wartime, in the conditioning/propaganda camp where Offred received her Handmaid "training":

Dances would have been held there;  the music lingered, a palimpsest of unheard sound, style upon style, an undercurrent of drums, a forlorn wail, garlands made of tissue-paper flowers, cardboard devils, a revolving ball of mirrors, powdering the dancers with a snow of light.

Cite this Quote

In Chapter 2, as Offred makes her way from her room to the door of the house, Atwood uses a series of striking images and similes to describe her protagonist's appearance and self-perception:

There remains a mirror, on the hall wall. If I turn my head so that the white wings framing my face direct my vision towards it, I can see it as I go down the stairs, round, convex, a pier glass, like the eye of a fish, and myself in it like a distorted shadow, a parody of something, some fairy-tale figure in a red cloak, descending towards a moment of carelessness that is the same as danger. A Sister, dipped in blood.

Cite this Quote

Ofglen, as a character, appears eager to be subservient. From Offred's perspective, Ofglen is uncannily obedient, behaving as a trained animal or a robot would. Offred comments on this behavior in multiple sections of The Handmaid's Tale, using imagery and simile to paint a picture of Ofglen's obedience.

In the following example from Chapter 8, Ofglen reacts mechanically to Offred's request that they head home, presenting a perfect specimen of womanly submission:

Without a word she swivels, as if she's voice-activated, as if she's on little oiled wheels, as if she's on top of a music box. I resent this grace of hers. I resent her meek head, bowed as if into a heavy wind. But there is no wind.

Cite this Quote

Ofglen, as a character, appears eager to be subservient. From Offred's perspective, Ofglen is uncannily obedient, behaving as a trained animal or a robot would. Offred comments on this behavior in multiple sections of The Handmaid's Tale, using imagery and simile to paint a picture of Ofglen's obedience.

In the following example from Chapter 8, Ofglen reacts mechanically to Offred's request that they head home, presenting a perfect specimen of womanly submission:

Without a word she swivels, as if she's voice-activated, as if she's on little oiled wheels, as if she's on top of a music box. I resent this grace of hers. I resent her meek head, bowed as if into a heavy wind. But there is no wind.

Cite this Quote