The Handmaid's Tale Entry Three (Pages 199-295)

Offred reveals in this entry that the main reason for the giant change to society was an attempt to establish mothering as a necessary role, because too few women were reproducing. Offred is shown a photo of her daughter by Serena Joy, and she is devastated by the thought that her daughter has moved on completely. The Commander took Offred to an Officers Club, where she spotted Moira, who seemed defeated and was no longer the spunky friend Offred remembered. The commander invites Offred up to a hotel room and she feels unnerved by his touch, and to her his hands become symbols of how she belongs to him. Serena Joy influences Offred and Nick to be intimate to produce a child, which allows Offred the tiniest bit of normal human interaction. Offred tells Nick her real name, which demonstrates the close bond that they have formed and her trust of him. Offred finds comfort with Nick, and the way he makes her feel is a standard that the Commander could not live up to. Offred attends a salvaging, where Ofglen gives herself away by trying to put one of her comrades out of his misery. Her herois efforts only served as a warning to Offred to not try to save anyone else, and to focus on her own survival. Serena Joy discovered that Offred and the Commander had been fraternizing outside of their duties, but before she has time to punish her handmaid, Offred was taken by the state for telling secrets. This higher power that eventually takes Offred is present throughout the book in the form of Eyes who watch for signs that people are not abiding by the rules. Although Offred is extremely wary of the people that come to take her away, Nick tells her that she can trust them. This leaves the reader with an overall feeling of hope that Offred is in good hands and will be taken to a safe place.