The Handmaid's Tale

Main Characters and Their Development

• Offred — the narrator and protagonist, a Handmaid held captive in the Republic of Gilead. As the story progresses, her character evolves from a passive observer to an active participant in resistance.
• The Commander — a high-ranking official in the Republic of Gilead, for whom Offred is forced to work. Through his character, the irony and hypocrisy of Gilead's state system are revealed.
• Serena Joy — the Commander's wife, portrayed as a deeply unhappy woman suffering from infertility and Gilead's harsh rules. Her relationship with Offred changes from hostility to a complex alliance as the story unfolds.