Character Analysis Sample Answers

Name: __________________________________ Date: ___________________ Period: ______
Offred Sample Answers

Evidence and Analysis
Directions: Gather quotes and other examples from the text to use as
evidence that provides insight into Offred. Then write a paragraph that
describes and analyzes Offred, including relationships, traits,
motivations, fears, and how (or if) they develop over the course of the
text.
Evidence
1. 2. 3.
4. 5. 6.
Character Description and Analysis

The novel’s protagonist and first-person narrator, Handmaid of the Commander and
Serena Joy, former wife of Luke, and lover of Nick. We never learn her real name
(Offred means “Of Fred,” her Commander), and we know little about her physical
appearance. She has brown hair, stands about five foot seven, and is 33 years old.
Before Gilead, she had a daughter with Luke at about age 25. Moira was her best
friend from college, and she had a rocky relationship with her radical, outrageous
mother. Though Offred is rebellious, even violent, in her thoughts, and full of passionate
memories, she seems stolid and devout to outsiders, doing her best to obey Gilead’s
laws. Readers may be quick to judge Offred for her passivity, but her keen observations
and honest emotions, even after the terror and brainwashing that she’s encountered,
demonstrate the limitations of Gilead’s power over its subjects.
1
Name: __________________________________ Date: ___________________ Period: ______
The Commander Sample Answers

evidence that provides insight into The Commander. Then write a
paragraph that describes and analyzes The Commander, including
relationships, traits, motivations, fears, and how (or if) they develop over
the course of the text.
Evidence
1. 2. 3.
4. 5. 6.

The head of the household where Offred serves as a Handmaid, and husband of Serena
Joy. The Commander has gray hair, wears a black suit, and looks “like a Midwestern
bank president.” Though he is a high-ranking official of Gilead who may have played a
large role in its construction, he breaks many laws, including going to the sex club
Jezebel’s (and at least once hiring Moira), and spending time with Offred. Though he
attributes many of his misogynistic attitudes to “Nature,” he cares for Offred’s well
being, and often wants to know her opinion on controversial matters.
2
Name: __________________________________ Date: ___________________ Period: ______
Serena Joy Sample Answers

evidence that provides insight into Serena Joy. Then write a paragraph
that describes and analyzes Serena Joy, including relationships, traits,
motivations, fears, and how (or if) they develop over the course of the
text.
Evidence
1. 2. 3.
4. 5. 6.

Also known as the Commander’s Wife, she is unable to have children and therefore
requires Offred’s services. Before Gilead, she was a singer who became famous on TV
for her emotional Christian music. She also used to give speeches about how women
ought to be housewives. During the novel, she occupies her time gardening with Nick’s
help, and knitting elaborate scarves for soldiers, despite her arthritis. For much of the
novel, she resentfully ignores Offred, but towards the end she encourages Offred to try
to get pregnant by having sex with Nick.
3
Name: __________________________________ Date: ___________________ Period: ______
Nick Sample Answers

evidence that provides insight into Nick. Then write a paragraph that
describes and analyzes Nick, including relationships, traits, motivations,
fears, and how (or if) they develop over the course of the text.
Evidence
1. 2. 3.
4. 5. 6.

The Commander’s driver and Serena Joy’s helper in the garden, and Offred’s lover.
Nick’s official position is Guardian, and he seems to be low-ranking because he hasn’t
been assigned a woman. From the beginning, he roguishly rejects some of Gilead’s
strictures (by rolling up his uniform sleeves, for example), but the Commander and
Serena Joy find him trustworthy and get his help for their own misdeeds. He is secretive
and discreet, and Offred can never quite figure out what he’s thinking, even during their
love affair. The question of his true alliances comes to a head at the book’s cliffhanger
ending, but the postscript “Notes” suggest that he was working for the Resistance after
all.
4
Name: __________________________________ Date: ___________________ Period: ______
Luke Sample Answers

evidence that provides insight into Luke. Then write a paragraph that
describes and analyzes Luke, including relationships, traits, motivations,
Evidence
1. 2. 3.
4. 5. 6.

Offred’s pre-Gilead husband and father of her daughter. He was previously married
and had a long affair with Offred before divorcing his first wife. Though Offred passes a
lot of time remembering him, he seems to have been frequently at odds with her
emotions. He doesn’t seem greatly distressed when Offred loses her job and must cede
all her money to him. Perhaps he lacks sympathy, or perhaps he’s sexist. After their
failed escape, Offred imagines many fates for him, but never pictures him joining with
Gilead, although subtext suggests that he might have.
5
Name: __________________________________ Date: ___________________ Period: ______
Moira Sample Answers

evidence that provides insight into Moira. Then write a paragraph that
describes and analyzes Moira, including relationships, traits, motivations,
Evidence
1. 2. 3.
4. 5. 6.

Offred’s best friend in college, a brave, opinionated feminist lesbian whom Offred
encounters again at the Rachel and Leah Center. After one failed attempt, she manages
to escape the Center and move along the Underground Femaleroad, but the Eyes
capture and torture her. She decides to work as a prostitute rather than go to the
Colonies (the Colonies are essentially a death sentence). When Offred sees her at
Jezebel’s, it seems that the authorities have managed to break Moira’s spirit.

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Name: ______________________ Date: _ Period:

Offred Sample Answers

Character Description and Analysis

The Commander Sample Answers

Character Description and Analysis

Serena Joy Sample Answers

Character Description and Analysis

Nick Sample Answers

Character Description and Analysis

Luke Sample Answers

Character Description and Analysis

Moira Sample Answers

Character Description and Analysis

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