Thoughts on : Offred, Ofglen, Moira, Serena Joy, the Commander, Nick, Luke (did I miss any???)

Mawgojzeta wrote: "Thoughts on : Offred, Ofglen, Moira, Serena Joy, the Commander, Nick, Luke (did I miss any???)"

Aunt Lydia. The other Ofglen.

While I was reading this, I wondered what I would have done if I had been in their position. I wonder what it would take to break me.

What I loved about Offred was that she managed to preserve some piece of her spirit deep inside, even after she lost absolutely everything. It's funny, just this morning I wrote, "Nolite te bastardes carborundorum" on the whiteboard in my office.

What did y'all think about the other Ofglen? Do you think that she was a part of Mayday? Or do you think she was a spy? I couldn't tell from her reaction to Offred, even though Offred seemed to believe that she was a spy.

If I remember correctly, I thought she was just a replacement, not a spy. As if they are interchangeable.

I used "Nolite te bastardes carborundorum" as my yearbook quote in high school, along with "When I look back at all the crap I learned in high school/it's a wonder I can think at all" from Paul Simon's Kodachrome. I thought I was very clever.

They were interchangeable, but there was always the possibility that anyone could be an "Eye". When Offred offered the "Mayday" code word to her, Ofglen's response led her to believe that she was not a part of the Mayday resistance, but was aware of it. She warned her that she should forget about those kinds of things. But then she told her that the previous Ofglen had hanged herself when she saw the van coming for her, and that it was better. So I was never really sure if she actually was a spy or not. Then later Offred was saved and I wasn't certain if Ofglen had passed on her Mayday or if she had turned her in and then Nick had saved her before the real Eyes could get her.

Then again, my confusion may exist because Offred was never sure and therefore was unable to clear up the mystery for herself.

I think we are supposed to be confused by Ofglen. Even in a normal situation it is (basically) impossible to fully understand anyone's motives. Add the whole issue of a secret rebelious group? Offred and the reader's confusion are the way it would, at least I feel that way.