I think Atwood has really brilliantly crafted the tension that exists in the Handmaid’s Tale. In this section, she has given us morsels to show that the people surrounding Offred may not be as against her as they first appeared. Specifically, I think of how Ofglen took a chance to comment and see if Offred was a true believer or not, and how the Commander openly shares information about the handmaid that came before the Offred we know without reprimanding her or denying her the information. However, I still read on, ridden with suspicion and paranoia that none of it is genuine, that at any second either one of these two people that Offred may consider something kind of like friends/allies/at least amicable acquaintances could betray her at any second. The constant fear of something turning horribly south is what makes the story so powerful and what propels me to keep reading.
I also think that the more comfortable Offred feels with the people around her (even if it is just understanding how to work around them better), the more she settles into herself and the ways in which she can push the envelope. It was very refreshing to me to see that when the Commander asked what she wanted, she asked for knowledge, because knowledge really is power in this story. It also reminded me of our conversation about the hierarchy of needs. She’s clothed, fed and sheltered, so her next greatest priority is attaining knowledge of what exactly is going on, so she can keep herself safe and have the power to make the correct decisions to further protect herself.
I think it’s very interesting how you pointed out rather positive aspects of this section, while still emphasizing that you’re weary to read on as if you are expecting that any positive progression for Offred is too good to be true. I agree with this sentiment and find the book hard to wrap my head around sometimes because Atwood gets the reader distracted from the reality of Gilead by showing flashes of when people are nice to Offred, but then the reader needs to not be swayed by those moments and still see how Gilead is a horrible place.
I agree with you in that it’s very interesting to see the new ways in which Offred is interacting with the people around her now that she is getting more comfortable with these relationships. One moment that especially stood out to me was when she said “Jesus Christ” to the Commander out of frustration when they were talking in his office. The fact that she was able to use God’s name in vain while living under a totalitarian theocracy shows how much she is able to get away with.
I agree with you that it is really interesting to see the development of interactions and discovering who would become people in Offred’s story whom helped her maintain some sort of sanity. Although I would never disagree that the women’s position is much worse in this society, I think the story is guiding us to appreciate the bond which can be created by everyone involved in an oppressed situation. Offred’s interactions with Nick and the Commander, although convoluted and tricky, seem to bring her some sort of enjoyment or fulfillment which distract her from the utter sadness of her position.