moira

• a cigarette between her stubby yellow-ended fingers. Let's go for a beer.'

  first introduction of Moira, pre-Gilead, where she is presented as eccentric and is clear that Gilead will have restricted her lifestyle.
• I turn her into Moira'

  the message Offred finds on the wall reminds her of Moira, maybe because of it's rebellious nature.
• Leaning out my dorm window, dropping them on the heads of the boys below. It was Moira's idea.'

  Moira presented as more active, whilst Offred is passive. Their behaviour pre-Gilead reflects their rebellious nature in the present too.
• This is a loony bin, Moira said.'

  Moira still uses casual language, and sees through the indoctrination of the Red Centre.
• It makes me feel safer, that Moira is here.'

  Offred feels vulnerable and is more of a shy and passive person than Moira, and so depends on her.
• I've got to get out of here, I'm going bats.'


  Moira wants to escape the Red Centre.
• She is a cunning and dangerous woman, said Aunt Lydia.'

  Aunt Lydia tells Janine how Moira escaped for the second time successfully.
• Moira was our fantasy.'

  Moira is what all the other Handmaids wish they could do, she is a rare success story of escaping the Centre.
• In the light of Moira, the Aunts were less fearsome and more absurd. Their power had a flaw to it.'


  Moira has rebelled against the system and proven that it's possible, she is an inspiration.
• Moira was always more logical than I am.'

  Offred thinks Moira would disapprove of her relationship with the Commander, as she believes the power balance between men and women is unequal, as shown in past memory.
• They've been building up to this. It's you and me up against the wall, baby.'

  Moira could see clearly the state's intentions of what they ultimately wanted to achieve.
• In some strange way she was gleeful, as if this was what she'd been expecting for some time and now she'd been proven right. She even looked more energetic, more determined.'

  was Moira truly rebellious or just excited for ways she can be proven right about men? From Offred's perspective though, so may have been determined to fight against the system, whereas Offred doesn't have the same tendencies.
• Moira slapped her across the face...Get right back here! You can't stay there, you aren't there anymore. That's all gone.'


  Moira is more assertive and confident than the other Handmaid's, could be seen as a leader due to her active nature and taking charge to solve the situation.
• Idiot, says Moira.'


  Moira isn't actually there yet in Offred's inner thoughts she acts as a guide and has a huge impact on Offred's actions, always thinks about what Moira would say.
• They like to see you all painted up. Just another crummy power trip.'


  Moira sees through the Commander's actions, she has experience of Jezebel's and has always seen things more rationally than Offred - objective opinion of what the Commander wants.
• She is frightening me now, because what I hear in her voice is indifference, a lack of volition.'


  Moira has given up and accepted her life at Jezebel's, but this scares Offred as Moira has always been a symbol of hope.
• I want gallantry from her, swashbuckling, heroism, single-handed combat. Something I lack.
• She shrugs again. It might be resignation.'


  The last Offred ever hears of Moira, depressing ending for the character as she resigns to her life in Jezebel's and tries to make the best out of it. The regime wore her down and ruined her rebellious spirit.