The Handmaid's Tale

How does it effectively highlight their different roles in Gileadean society?

Compare the language used to describe the commander and offred during the initial moments after Offred has arrived .

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Offred is a vessel, a sort of baby receptacle. She is made much of but only as far as she is a means to an end. Everything that Offred goes through is steeped in ritual. When Offred first gets to the house , she sees the Commander in the hallway. He passes by and smiles. This is against all the rules yet he is able to break them seemingly at will. Offred simply follows her orders, her body is of importance and she is not.