Handmaids tale: Character.

Ben Berry

I find the character Offred fascinating. Her characterization is super well done, as it needs to be as she is the main character. At the start of the book, she seems like someone who has accepted her place in this new dystopia. Not gladly, but mostly because everything she cared about is gone, and so she feels there is no point in trying to resist. During her time at the red center, she didn't have this level of apathy. It was more about fear that kept her in line. Fear of punishment, both physical and mental. Then Moria shows up and there is a spark kindled in Offred. She has someone to inspire and help her though these hard times. It's when she leaves that I think Offred falls into the pit of apathy. She no longer has someone to inspire resistance in her and so she just thinks, 'Screw it, might as well just fall in line. It's easier then fighting.'

We again see this spark get kindled at soul scrolls, when Offred and Ofglen talk with each other. A big part of why Offred didn't want to fight was because she was alone. Now that she knows she isn't, she has hope that she can resist. It's also hope that if something does happen, she has someone to help her out. The big problem here is Nick. If Nick had never entered the story, I think that Offred could have done a lot more. Instead, she loses her head, not wanting to take her chance to get out, as that would mean leaving Nick. Because of this, she distances herself from Ofglen and basically ruins any chance she had.