My thoughts on the whole novel

This novel took me a while to get into, but once I got into it I found it incredibly interesting, weird and massively disturbing! Although as a female I probably should have felt sympathy for the women in the novel, I was surprised that I actually didn’t. I did not warm to the character Offred at all, I tried to force myself to feel sympathy or try to like the characters nonetheless the closest I got to liking anybody in the novel was Moira, who seemed the only rebellious character that I found most exciting to learn about. 

The way the novel ended was in some ways satisfying as it felt like there was an uncertain ending therefore, I could make my own conclusions to Offred’s fate or result of her many secretive rules she broke as her role of being a Handmaid. She betrayed Serena Joy, she let down Cora and she got the Commander into trouble.

The novel left me too curious for my likings though, I really wanted to know what happened to characters such as Moira and Offglen also the Commander and Serena Joy after Offred got taken away. Also, I wanted Offred to somehow bump into Luke at some point in the novel. However, Atwood leaves the reader at great suspense at the end of the novel which I guess I like. Overall the novel was attention-grabbing and I really enjoyed reading it!

The development of Offred’s relationship with the Commander

Wow. These two are getting quiet comfortable around each other, playing Scrabble and all sorts. The fact that the Commander asks for a 'kiss' and tells her to do it as if Offred meant it, must of been a weird experience for Offred. However, in a way it leads Offred to feel at ease in the Commander's company. She is allowed to read, which is something that is forbidden if you are a Handmaid. The Commander even gives her a woman's magazine and suggested that he thought she 'might like to look at it', which suggests that he is thoughtful towards Offred and might even have a caring side for her. 

The Commander also shares personal information with Offred, the fact he is confiding in her shows how lonely he is, however it is pretty clear that his wife does not satisfy him, as Offred mentions he looks 'so sad' after he asks for the 'kiss'. The fact that the Commander even asks for a kiss shows that his relationship with his wife is dead, his wife does not 'understand' and he also states that 'she won't talk to [him] much anymore. It seems as if Offred is his only hope in a decent conversation. Therefore, the Commander makes effort to get her things like magazines and 'butter', it is his way of keeping Offred interested to give anything back in return; as minimal as a conversation.