Chapter Thirty-Six: The Commander's Surprise
⚠️ 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
Offred goes to the Commander’s room, where he is drinking and in a courtly mood. He presents her with a skimpy costume made of mauve and pink feathers and purple sequins—a garment that survived the regime’s clothing purges. He encourages her to put it on and apply makeup, then produces a light blue Wife’s cloak to hide her disguise. They ride in the car with Nick, passing checkpoints—Offred hides on the floor when Wives are not allowed through a gateway. They enter a building through a back alley; the Commander gives her a purple tag labelled “evening rental.” Offred feels both embarrassment and excitement, and catches Nick’s ambiguous gaze before entering the secret club, later known as Jezebel’s.
Key Events
- Offred arrives at the Commander’s room and notices he is already drinking.
- The Commander reveals a costume made from feathers and sequins, salvaged from the regime’s destruction of such clothing.
- Offred puts on the costume and makeup, using Serena Joy’s mirror and lipstick.
- The Commander provides a blue Wife’s cloak to get through checkpoints.
- Offred hides on the car floor to pass a gateway where Wives are forbidden.
- They arrive at a building; the Commander gives Offred a purple “evening rental” tag.
- Offred sees Nick’s expression through the car window—his reaction is ambiguous.
Character Development
- Offred: Shows a rebellious side, willing to break rules and submit to the Commander’s plan. She experiences conflict between prudish reluctance and the attraction of freedom. Her internal voice (“Idiot, says Moira”) reveals self-awareness and the influence of her friend.
- The Commander: Exercises his power by orchestrating this outing, appearing excited and playful. His behaviour exposes his desire for control and transgression, as well as his familiarity with the secret venue.
- Nick: Remains inscrutable. His straight posture and refusal to meet Offred’s eyes suggest disapproval or professional detachment. Offred imagines his possible contempt, highlighting her vulnerability and dependence on his discretion.
- Serena Joy (offstage): Her mirror and cloak are borrowed without her knowledge, underscoring the Commander’s deception and the household’s hidden tensions.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Disguise and Costume: The costume symbolises a forbidden identity—the pre-Gilead sexuality the regime tried to erase. Putting it on is both a thrill and a risk, representing the narrow space for rebellion within the system.
- Freedom and Relative Transgression: Offred reflects that “Freedom, like everything else, is relative.” The temporary escape through role-playing offers a dangerous taste of autonomy.
- Surveillance and Visibility: Offred is hidden under the cloak, on the floor, and behind makeup, yet she feels exposed to Nick’s gaze. The chapter reinforces the constant threat of observation, even in a secret outing.
- The Male Gaze and Power: The Commander orchestrates the entire scene—he chooses the costume, controls the trip, and defines Offred’s role. Her agency is limited, yet she chooses to participate.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter marks a turning point in Offred’s relationship with the Commander and in her personal rebellion. It introduces Jezebel’s, a key setting that reveals the hypocrisy of Gilead—Commanders break the very laws they enforce. Offred’s willingness to go along with the plan deepens her moral complexity and sets the stage for future risks. The chapter also deepens the tension around Nick, whose knowledge of the Commander’s activities will become crucial later.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Offred agree to wear the costume and go out with the Commander? Offred is motivated by boredom and a longing for any break in the monotony of her life. She finds the costume “attractive” because it carries “the childish allure of dressing up” and allows her to feel “sinful, so free.” She also senses an opportunity to gain more knowledge of the Commander and the system, despite the risks.
2. What does the costume represent in the context of Gilead’s regime? The costume is a piece of pre-Gilead culture that was supposed to be destroyed in the “Manhattan Cleanup.” It symbolises sexuality, pleasure, and individuality—all suppressed by the regime. Its survival and Offred’s wearing it become an act of defiance, however limited and controlled by the Commander.
3. How does Nick’s behaviour in this chapter affect Offred’s perception of him? Nick’s rigid posture and refusal to meet her eyes make Offred uncertain of his feelings. She wonders if he is angry, lustful, or indifferent. His professional detachment highlights the power imbalance—he is a functionary, and any hint of complicity could endanger his job. Offred’s awareness of his gaze adds to her sense of being watched and judged.