The Handmaid's Tale Quotes with Page Numbers: A Reader's Guide
Finding specific quotes with page numbers from Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale can be tricky, as page numbers vary depending on the edition. Different publishers use different formats, font sizes, and even include different introductory material. However, this guide will offer some of the most memorable and frequently discussed quotes, along with strategies to locate them in your specific edition.
Important Note: Providing exact page numbers is impossible without knowing the edition you possess. To find the page numbers for a specific quote, utilize your edition's search function (if available), or manually search for the quote within the text.
Strategies for Finding Quotes in Your Edition:
-
Use Your Edition's Search Function: Most ebook readers and some physical books allow you to search for specific words or phrases. Try searching for key words from the quote.
-
Check Online Resources: Websites like Goodreads often have discussions where users might mention page numbers for particular quotes in their specific editions. However, remember these will only be accurate for those using the same book version.
-
Focus on Distinctive Phrases: Instead of relying solely on the full quote, identify distinctive phrases within the quote. These will be easier to locate within the text.
-
Context is Key: Remember the surrounding sentences or paragraphs to help narrow your search. This will be crucial in identifying the exact passage.
Some Notable Quotes (Without Page Numbers):
While I cannot provide exact page numbers, here are some of the most impactful and frequently cited passages from The Handmaid's Tale:
-
"Blessed be the fruit." / "May the fruit be blessed." This is arguably the most iconic phrase from the novel, a ritualistic greeting exchanged between Handmaids. This is a simple phrase, so searching for either "blessed" or "fruit" will help locate it in your edition.
-
"Better never means better for everyone... it always means worse, for some." This quote highlights the complex social dynamics and inequities within Gilead. Searching for variations of "better" or "worse" will likely bring you to the relevant passage.
-
"There is more than one kind of freedom," said Aunt Lydia. "Freedom to and freedom from." This quote exemplifies the novel's nuanced exploration of freedom and control. Search for either "freedom" or "Aunt Lydia."
-
"Give me children, or else I curse thee with a barren womb." This unsettling phrase demonstrates the power dynamics and religious extremism of Gilead. Search for "children," "curse," or "barren womb."
-
"We were the people who were not in the papers. We lived in the blank spaces at the edges of print. It gave us more freedom." This quote speaks to the erasure and invisibility of certain groups before Gilead's takeover. Search for phrases such as "blank spaces" or "edges of print".
Conclusion:
While I cannot furnish precise page numbers, these strategies will help you locate these and other significant quotes within your copy of The Handmaid's Tale. Remember to use your edition's search function, and focus on distinctive words and phrases within the quotes themselves to aid your search. Happy reading!
