The Handmaid’s Tale
(Margaret Atwood)

Offred

The narrator of the story, Offred is a Handmaid in the household of a high-ranking Commander. She has another name from her previous life, but she never shares this information with the reader. Offred describes her experiences as a Handmaid, her yearning for the past and her loved ones, and the oppression of the new regime.

Luke

Luke is Offred’s husband, who was separated from her during a failed escape attempt. Although he never makes an appearance in the story and we never discover what happened to him, he is always at the forefront of Offred’s thoughts and memory.

Moira

Offred’s best friend from the time before. A feminist and lesbian, Moira is spirited and courageous. She manages to escape the Red Center where she and Offred are being trained to be Handmaids, but she is later caught and forced to be a prostitute at Jezebel’s.

Offred’s Mother and Daughter

Like Luke, these characters are from Offred’s past, though they frequently pay visits to Offred in her memories and dreams. Offred eventually discovers that her mother was sent to a Colony to clean toxic waste, while her daughter was given away for an elite family to raise.

Nick

A Guardian in the Commander’s household, Nick often breaks protocol by winking or smiling at Offred. They eventually engage in a sexual relationship, first under Serena Joy’s watch, and then on their own.

Janine / Ofwarren

Janine was with Offred at the Red Center, though they never got along. She became Ofwarren when she became an official Handmaid and gave birth to a girl named Angela, although the baby was named an Unbaby and did not survive.

Ofglen

Ofglen is Offred’s shopping partner, since Handmaids are only allowed to walk around town in pairs. She is also a part of the resistance movement and brings Offred news and information.

The Commander

The Commander is the head of the household. He begins seeing Offred in private and gives her access to forbidden objects such as magazines and books. Offred’s relationship with the commander is complicated; in some ways, he is her oppressor, but she finds herself unable to hate him.

Serena Joy

Formerly a singer on a religious television show geared for children, Serena Joy is the Commander’s Wife. She dislikes Offred but eventually convinces Offred to sleep with Nick to increase her chances of having a baby.

Rita and Cora

The Marthas, or maids, of the household. Rita does most of the cooking, whereas Cora does most of the cleaning and chores.