To what extent is Offred a heroine? There are many unique features that make up a heroine of a story. Generally, the hero or heroine

Authors Avatar

To what extent is Offred a heroine?

There are many unique features that make up a heroine of a story. Generally, the hero or heroine is the main protagonist of the story, and they are likely to be a very strong and extraordinary character. This strength is not just physically, but also emotionally and intellectually. Their bravery and luck tends to get themselves out of trouble. In Offred’s case, it appears that she is mentally and emotionally very strong, and luck seemed to be on her side, during most of the story. Despite this, Offred is not a heroine to a large extent, and there are many reasons why she does not fulfil the role of a heroine.

There is immediate references that Offred is going to be the heroine of the story from the first chapter, where she explains a few of the ways that the girls rebel. They “learned to whisper” and “learned to lip-read”, which gave the reader signs that they intentionally broke the rules of their society in whatever way possible.

Later into the story, there are more signs that Offred is going to break the rules and rebel against the Aunts and Guards, and other higher members of the hierarchy. When Offred sees the message “Nolite te bastardes caborundorum” it appears to inspire her. Although Offred does not know that it means “don’t let the bastards grind you down”, she still feels it “pleases” her to see it. This is because she knows that another handmaid has left that message for the next handmaid to read.

Join now!

Offred shows her true rebellious side in chapter 17, when she decides to steal something from the kitchen. She decides to steal “something that will not be missed…a withered daffodil” and then leaves it under her mattress for the next handmaid to find. In the kitchen she meets Nick. They both want to have sex, but fear that they will be caught, and only kiss. Offred makes it clear that she “like to” but then realises that it is “illegal”. In that same meeting with Nick, she is led into something even more illegal with the commander. Yet another ...

This is a preview of the whole essay