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Illustrated portrait of Offred’s mother

A character in The Handmaid's Tale

Offred’s mother

Offred’s mother was a feminist activist who campaigned for reproductive rights before Gilead.

The book

Cover of The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
The Handmaid's TaleMargaret Atwood, 1985

One woman remembers freedom while authoritarian rules become ordinary through repetition, fear, and religious language.

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Who they are in the book

Spoiler-free

Offred’s mother was a feminist activist who campaigned for reproductive rights before Gilead. Offred once found her embarrassing and only later understands more of what she was defending. At the Red Center, Offred sees footage suggesting her mother was sent to the Colonies. Her death is likely but not directly confirmed.

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