Power

• What is the most important theme in The Handmaid’s Tale?

  Power
• How are the other themes in The Handmaid’s Tale related to power?

  They are centered around ideas of power
• How does Eric Liu define power?

  The ability to make others do what you want
• What can change based on the situation and a person’s identity?

  Power
• What are the four ways power can be expressed according to VeneKlasen and Miller?

  • Power Over
  • Power With
  • Power To
  • Power Within
• What does "Power Over" entail?

  • Associated with coercion and force
  • Takes power from someone else
  • Can perpetrate inequality and injustice
• What does "Power With" signify?

  • Collaborative effort
  • Working together for a common goal
• What does "Power To" represent?

  • Individual's potential to make change
  • Agency to shape one's own life
• What does "Power Within" refer to?

  • Personal agency
  • Ability to make change
• Who symbolizes "Power Over" in The Handmaid’s Tale?

  The Commander
• Who symbolizes "Power With" in The Handmaid’s Tale?

  Ofglen
• Who symbolizes "Power To" in The Handmaid’s Tale?

  Moira
• Who symbolizes "Power Within" in The Handmaid’s Tale?

  Offred
• What does Robert Dahl define as "power over"?

  A can get B to do something B wouldn't do
• How does The Commander exemplify "power over" in his relationship with Offred?

  He can make her do things against her will
• What does Offred realize about her relationship with The Commander?

  He always has power over her
• What does Offred's reflection on forgiveness reveal about power dynamics?

  Forgiveness can be a tool for power
• What does the phrase "legs spread open" allude to in The Handmaid’s Tale?

  Offred’s role as a Handmaid
• How does The Commander’s position of power affect Offred's consequences for breaking rules?

  He faces no consequences, she faces death
• What does Offred mean by saying she has "equivocal" power over The Commander?

  Her power is unclear and limited
• What does Offred express about her feelings towards being alone with The Commander?

  She does not want to be alone with him
• How does Offred try to communicate her discomfort to The Commander?

  Through body language and silence
• What does the relationship between Offred and Ofglen demonstrate?

  The potential power of companionship
• How does Ofglen's role as Offred's shopping partner contribute to their relationship?

  It creates a more egalitarian relationship
• What does the moment Ofglen and Offred share outside Soul Scrolls symbolize?

  Their equality and connection
• What does crossing "the invisible line together" signify for Offred and Ofglen?

  They become allies against oppression
• Why is information considered powerful in Gilead?

  It is controlled to maintain oppression
• How does Ofglen view Offred's relationship with The Commander?

  As an opportunity to gain information
• What does "power to" encourage individuals to recognize?

  Their own ability to act
• How does Moira inspire Offred?

  By encouraging her to resist oppression
• What does Offred feel about her identity before the Ceremony?

  She feels powerless and fading
• How does Moira's voice affect Offred's sense of identity?

  It helps her hold onto her identity
• What does Moira's escape symbolize for the Handmaids?

  Hope and the possibility of change
• How does Moira view sex between women compared to heterosexual sex?

  It is more egalitarian and empowering
• How does Offred's complicity at the beginning of the novel reflect her relationship with power?

  She allowed others to take power
• What does Offred's journey throughout the novel illustrate about power?

  Her struggle to reclaim her own power
• How does Moira's escape impact the other Handmaids?

  It gives them hope and shows their power.
• What does Moira argue about sex between women?

  It is more egalitarian than heterosexual sex.
• How does Moira's view of sexuality contrast with Gilead's?

  Moira sees sex as empowering, Gilead sees it as coercive.
• What does Offred's initial complicity in Gilead signify?

  It shows her survival tactic and acceptance of oppression.