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Who is he? • The Commander is a high-ranking government official, and is head of the household to which Offred is assigned. He is the most powerful authority figure in Offred new world an he is the immediate agent of her oppression. He also bears responsibility for the entire totalitarian society. The Commander is a powerful figure in the Gileaden government. He is apparently sterile, although this is not confirmed because, according to law, only women are tested for being fruitful or barren.
Significance of his relationship with Offred The commander asks Offred to visit him after hours in his study, where they play scrabble games, read books and conversation which are forbidden to the handmaid’s. The first time the Commander is seen breaking the strict social structure is when he sends for the handmaiden to come to his office alone at night: it is arranged like a sexual rendezvous, but she finds to her amusement that he shyly asks her to play Scrabble. As her night visits to the office increase, she becomes increasingly informal with him, sometimes even correcting him, as when she tells.
Change and development. • The commander throughout the book changes as the first impression to Offred, is he seemed extremely strict, he didn’t oppose the rules ,this changes when he first asks Offred to visit him after hours. 6. "Live in the present, make the most of it, it's all you've got." Ch. 24 Offred tries to compose her thoughts after her first visit to the Commander's office. Throughout the book offred discovers that he isn’t as strict as he made out to be. This is demonstrated when The commander asks offred to go to jezbells with him, jezbells is a strip club.This a significant change as this is the first time offred has changed her daily routine. For example she is offered an alcholic drink,and talks to people and is also wearing clothes that are forbidden.
Main quotes involving the Commander • 6. "Live in the present, make the most of it, it's all you've got." Ch. 24 Offred tries to compose her thoughts after her first visit to the Commander's office. • Nature demands variety, for men. It stands to reason, it's part of the procreational strategy. It's Nature's plan." Ch. 37 The Commander explains his beliefs to Offred at the club • Mayday?...It’s French, he said. From M’aidez. Help me. (8, 54) • It’s forbidden for us to be alone with the Commanders. We are for breeding purposes(21, 146)… we are two-legged wombs, that’s all: sacred vessels, ambulatory chalices.
