I. Night

• We slept in what had once been the gymnasium.
• We slept in what had once been the gymnasium.


  Plural pronouns immediately show loss of individuality, part of the collective.

  Atmosphere of change and fracturing of time.

  Air of normality, the setting more familiar for the reader and makes it easier for them to imagine these events happening in the world that they know. Links to Atwood's aim to highlight the cyclical nature of history and to warn the readers of making the same mistakes of the past.
• I could smell, faintly like an afterimage, the pungent scent of sweat
• I could smell, faintly like an afterimage, the pungent scent of sweat


  Sensory language established the power of memory, Offred can still remember "the time before" despite the attempts (by the aunts) for them to forget.
• There was old sex in the room and loneliness
• There was old sex in the room and loneliness


  Establishing two key themes of the novel; sexual intercourse and isolation.
• We yearned for the future. How did we learn it, that talent for insatiability?


  Short sentence shows the future isn't what Offred had expected. The rhetorical question highlights how drastically Offred's views have started to change in such a small period of time: Atwood is warning the reader on the power of indoctrination.
• We yearned for the future. How did we learn it, that talent for insatiability?
• they had electric cattle prods
• they had electric cattle prods


  Juxtaposition between the traditional role of an aunt and the aunts in Gilead; aunts should protect not attack. Image of cattle prods shows the dehumanisation of the handmaids. The aunts are not allowed guns: the aunts are given a taste of power but ultimately it belongs to those with the guns, the men. This is done as a way to control the women by turning them against each other: if they chose to rebel there is strength in numbers.
• chain-linked fence topped with barbed wire.


  Ironic as we associate Harvard, the place where the RED centre is, with learning, freedom and growth not imprisonment.
• chain-linked fence topped with barbed wire.
• The Angels
• The Angels


  Religious imagery, reference to the Angel Gabriel, contrast to him they are guarding to threaten not to protect. Introduces the idea that Gilead is a theocracy, the Gileadian regime has biblical precedence.
• We still had our bodies. 


  Short sentence shows this will be short-lived. Foreshadows that the handmaids' bodies will soon be seen as "vessels".
• We still had our bodies.
• We learned to whisper almost without sound.
• Alma. Janine. Dolores. Moira. June.
• We learned to whisper almost without sound.


  Women being silenced: Atwood is reminding the readers of women who have been silenced throughout history. Introduces the theme of rebellion, the handmaids are learning to get around the rules.
• Alma. Janine. Dolores. Moira. June.


  Five short sentences present the women as individuals and foreshadows the loss of their identity.