religion

• ' Give me children or else I die. ' 'There's more than one meaning to it.' - Offred, Chapter 11


  • Biblical quotation from story of Rachel and Leah - Rachel said this to Jacob, then had handmaid produce children for them
  • Gilead's society based upon bible
  • Offred uses quotes from Bible to express feelings and thoughts - affected by biblical propaganda
  • In Bible quote was metaphorical, for Offred it's reality (will be shipped to colonies)
• ' under his eye ' 'perhaps he is an eye' - Offred


  • Eye of God, constantly under his observation - omniscience
  • the Eyes, monitor citizens, report if violate rules - under continuous surveillance (lack of freedom)
  • Biblical reference, God sees sinning
  • Paranoia, feels unsafe