question icon

What does Offred’s name mean?

Category: Literature
Explanation:

Offred's name carries significant meaning in the literary context of Margaret Atwood's acclaimed novel, "The Handmaid's Tale". The name Offred is a hybridization of 'of Fred', where Fred refers to the Commander, the name of the man Offred is assigned to serve as a Handmaid. This naming convention serves as a subtle yet powerful reminder of the institutionalized oppression and objectification of women in the totalitarian society of Gilead. The use of the prefix 'of' before a Handmaid's name represents her identity as a possession of her assigned Commander, an object to be used solely for procreation, and nothing more.

Was this helpful? star star star star star No votes.
Cite this page

What does Offred’s name mean?. (2023, Jul 24). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/qa/literature/what-does-offred-s-name-mean

Answered by StudyMoose
One of our experts proficient in Literature provided the explanation to this question. Feel free to rate the answer and let us know if you liked it.
Live chat  with support 24/7

👋 Hi! I’m your smart assistant Amy!

Don’t know where to start? Type your requirements and I’ll connect you to an academic expert within 3 minutes.

get help with your assignment