Chapter Thirty-One Summary and Analysis: Collusion and Mayday
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
The chapter opens with Offred’s internal monologue about time and the relentless summer. She notes that July 4, once Independence Day, has been abolished, and she marks time by the moon rather than the calendar. While dressing, she longs for a mundane argument with Luke, a luxury she now scripts in her mind.
During the shopping walk with Ofglen, they visit the Wall, where two bodies hang: one Catholic, one marked with a red “J.” Ofglen explains that Jews were given a choice to convert or emigrate; the “J” likely stands for something else. They then walk to an open area near Memorial Hall, a former university building. Ofglen tells Offred a password—"Mayday"—used to identify members of the resistance network. Offred recalls earlier suspicions that Ofglen might be part of something clandestine.
Back at the Commander’s house, Serena Joy calls Offred over. While Offred holds a skein of wool, Serena winds it and mentions that Offred has not yet become pregnant. Serena suggests that the Commander may be infertile and proposes an alternative: Offred should try to conceive with another man. She offers to arrange this with Nick, the Guardian, and promises to keep it secret from the Commander. As a reward, Serena hints that she might obtain a photograph of Offred’s daughter. Offred, stunned and desperate, agrees.
The chapter ends with Serena pressing a cigarette into Offred’s hand and telling her to find a match from the kitchen, a small allowance of liberty.
Key Events
- Offred reflects on the passage of time and the abolition of Independence Day.
- Ofglen and Offred view bodies on the Wall; a red “J” marks one corpse.
- Ofglen reveals the resistance password “Mayday” and warns Offred not to learn too many names.
- Serena Joy summons Offred and proposes a plan to get her pregnant by Nick.
- Serena offers to try to get a picture of Offred’s daughter as a reward.
- Offred accepts Serena’s proposal, creating a secret alliance.
Character Development
Offred continues to navigate between memory and present horror. Her longing for Luke shows her emotional vulnerability, while her cautious acceptance of Ofglen’s password and Serena’s plan reveals her growing willingness to take risks for a chance at hope.
Ofglen emerges more clearly as a member of the resistance. Her careful diction and the sharing of the password show she trusts Offred enough to risk exposure.
Serena Joy displays a pragmatic ruthlessness. She is willing to betray her husband and manipulate a Guardian to achieve her goal of a baby. Her offer of a photo of Offred’s daughter is both a carrot and a demonstration of her power—she has known where the child is all along.
Nick is discussed but not present; Serena’s claim that he is “loyal” suggests he may already be part of the household’s covert dealings.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Time and the Lunar Cycle: Offred marks time by the moon, contrasting the natural cycle with the imposed calendar of Gilead. July 4’s abolition symbolizes the regime’s erasure of pre-Gilead history.
The Password Mayday: The word, a homophone for the French m’aidez (help me), becomes a symbol of secret resistance and the fragility of trust.
Collusion and Betrayal: Serena and Offred form a pact that betrays the Commander, but also reveals how women in Gilead can wield limited agency through covert alliances.
The Lost Daughter: The promise of a photograph represents Offred’s deepest longing and the regime’s power to withhold or grant fragments of the past.
Wool and Domesticity: Serena’s knitting, and the wool Offred holds, evoke enforced domestic roles. The safety-pin chain Offred remembers from her mother contrasts with Serena’s rigid handicraft.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter marks a major turning point in Offred’s relationship with Serena Joy and the wider resistance. Serena’s proposal to use Nick as a surrogate father moves the plot toward Offred’s risky affair. The introduction of the Mayday password confirms that Ofglen is part of an underground network, expanding the world beyond the Commander’s household. Offred’s acceptance of the plan signals her shift from passive endurance to active risk-taking, driven by the hope of seeing her daughter again. The chapter also deepens the themes of female complicity and survival under patriarchy.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Offred initially resist Serena’s suggestion of another man, and what makes her agree?
Offred fears the penalty for adultery—execution. She agrees when Serena offers to protect her and, more powerfully, dangles the possibility of a photo of her daughter. The hope of any connection to her child outweighs the risk.
2. What does the password “Mayday” reveal about Offred’s understanding of the resistance?
Until Ofglen shares the password, Offred views the rumors of an underground network as childish fantasies. The password forces her to acknowledge that the resistance is real, though she remains cautious about learning too many names to protect herself and others.
3. How does Serena Joy’s offer to help Offred conceive with Nick reflect her character and the power dynamics in Gilead?
Serena prioritizes obtaining a baby over loyalty to her husband or the regime’s rules. She uses her limited power—her ability to command the household staff and arrange secret meetings—to manipulate Offred. The offer shows that even Wives can subvert the system when their own interests are at stake.