Primary Characters in The Handmaid's Tale
Offred/June
The protagonist and narrator of the novel, Offred (whose real name is June) provides our window into the dystopian world of Gilead. Her complex character development is revealed through both her present circumstances and flashbacks to her "time before."
NoteThe name "Offred" literally means "Of Fred," signifying her status as property of Commander Fred Waterford. This naming convention is a crucial element of Gilead's oppressive system.
Key characteristics:
- Intelligent and observant
- Maintains inner resistance while outwardly conforming
- Struggles with guilt and survival instincts
- Shows both strength and vulnerability
"I wait. I compose myself. My self is a thing I must now compose, as one composes a speech. What I must present is a made thing, not something born."
Commander Fred Waterford
A high-ranking official in Gilead's hierarchy who represents the patriarchal power structure:
- Appears outwardly stern but shows complexity in private
- Engages in forbidden activities (Scrabble, magazines)
- Demonstrates both power and insecurity
Pay attention to the Commander's contradictions - he helps maintain Gilead's oppressive system while secretly breaking its rules.
Serena Joy Waterford
The Commander's Wife represents the complicated position of privileged women in Gilead:
- Former televangelist who helped create Gilead
- Trapped by the very system she helped establish
- Shows both cruelty and vulnerability
