Compare the character and role of Janine and Moira in "The Handmaid's Tale"

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Jasmin Hayward

Compare the character and role of Janine and Moira.

        The characters Moira and Janine in the book “The Handmaids Tale” contrast in their perspectives on being a handmaid. Whereas Moira is perceived as the braver, more daring figure, attempting to escape from the Red Centre, and becoming successful in doing so, In her second attempt. Whereas Janine, or OfWarren as she is later known, has become brainwashed by the society, believing that the time she was raped was her own fault, and accepting her role in society. Both, more importantly have an impact on the main character “Offred.” Moira, who escaped the Red Centre, is somewhat of an inspiration to Offred, whereas Janine's pathetic approach, makes her more aware of the impact of the society. However what should be noted is that unlike Offred, they both appear to ultimately give in to the society, Janine from the very beginning and Moira when she is working at Jezabel's, this emphasises Offred's unique strength of mind as a character.

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        The bravery in Moira, and lack of it in Janine is evident within the book. Such an example is in Part 8 of the book “Birth Day.” Offred recalls the second time that Moira attempted to escape from the Red Centre. We are aware of the amount of punishment that she had received for her first attempt: “she couldn't walk for a week,” and yet she does so again. This shows just how brave she is, in that she is willing to phase punishment, in the slightest chance that she is able to escape. This depicts the idea, of ...

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