The Handmaid’s Tale: Chapter 8 Summary & Analysis

The weather stays good, reminding Offred of the old days of dresses and ice cream. Back at the Wall there are three new bodies, a priest and two men hanged for Gender Treachery: homosexual activity. Offred is always the first to suggest to Ofglen that they should leave. Offred still can’t tell what Ofglen’s attitude towards the bodies is, but she resents her.

As they walk away, Ofglen comments on the beautiful May day. Offred remembers how Mayday used to be used in war for pilots to signal distress. Luke once told her the word’s origins, from French, meaning “help me.” The women see a small funeral procession on the street, three Econowives with black veils, one carrying a jar of her dead fetus. Offred feels sympathetic pain, but the Econowives gesture rudely, disliking Handmaids. Offred and Ofglen part with the official goodbye, “Under His Eye.” Ofglen seems to want to say something else, but doesn’t.

At Offred’s house, Nick polishes the Commander’s Whirlwind. The red tulips look like empty chalices, and Offred doesn’t understand what they are striving for. Nick whistles and asks Offred how her walk was, but she doesn’t speak, remembering Aunt Lydia’s advice.

Offred sees Serena Joy sitting in the garden, and thinks that her name sounds stupid, like a hair product. Serena Joy chose her name; her given name was Pam. Offred remembers seeing Serena Joy giving speeches about how a woman’s place is in the home, although Serena Joy herself was not just a housewife. She wore a lot of makeup and cried dramatically. During that time, there were two attempts on her life, and though Luke found her emotional persona funny, Offred was scared. Offred imagines that Serena Joy must be angry now that she can’t give speeches and has ended up stuck in the home after all.

Offred looks at Serena Joy’s sunken profile as she passes. Her face reminds Offred of fallen towns. Offred recalls Aunt Lydia saying that the Wives of the Commanders will hate the Handmaids, and that the Handmaids should be empathetic. Offred remembers Aunt Lydia’s happy and devout expression as she lectured the Handmaids. Aunt Lydia looked like God was appearing to her on a cloud of powder makeup.

Offred enters the kitchen, where the smell of bread reminds her of the past and mothers, though her mother didn’t bake. She tries to block the “treacherous” scent. Rita cuts carrots, and Offred desires the knife. Rita, as usual, seems displeased with the groceries, and Offred mentions the oranges at Milk and Honey, to no reaction. Rita pokes at the headless chicken. Cora enters, and she and Rita discuss who will take care of Offred’s bath.

Offred goes upstairs, pausing to enjoy the light through the stained glass. The convex mirror looks like an eye to her. The Commander is standing outside her room, which he’s never done before. He walks away when she arrives, and she tries to interpret his gesture. She realizes that she thinks of the room as hers.