Chapter Thirty-Seven Summary and Analysis
⚠️ 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 Commander leads Offred through a series of corridors into what was once a hotel, now converted into a secret club. The central courtyard is filled with women wearing a mishmash of provocative costumes from the pre-Gilead era—feathers, lingerie, cheerleader outfits, bunny suits. Men in uniform mingle among them. The Commander explains that the club is for officers, officials, and trade delegations; it serves as a place to conduct business and satisfy “natural” male desires. Offred feels both recognition and unease at the scene. She spots Moira, dressed in a worn rabbit costume, standing with two other women. Moira catches Offred’s eye and gives a subtle signal—a head jerk and a hand gesture—indicating a five-minute meeting in the women’s washroom. When the Commander returns with drinks, Offred asks to use the washroom. He reluctantly nods, and she sets off, hoping to follow Moira.
Key Events
- The Commander escorts Offred to a former hotel now repurposed as a clandestine brothel.
- Offred observes the garish costumes of the women and the casual authority of the men.
- The Commander explains the club’s function, claiming that men need variety by nature.
- Offred recognizes Moira among the costumed women and receives a prearranged signal.
- She must manufacture an excuse to leave the Commander and attempt to meet Moira.
Character Development
- Offred – She moves from shock to calculated observation. Her desire to speak with Moira shows her yearning for genuine connection and solidarity. She adapts quickly to the club’s rules, using her “tag” as permission to move.
- The Commander – His behavior becomes boastful and juvenile. He winks at Offred, shows her off to other men, and rationalizes the club as “nature’s plan.” His hypocrisy and self‑indulgence are fully exposed.
- Moira – Despite her degraded costume and the weary posture, she retains her resourcefulness. She spots Offred without reacting and signals with their old code, proving her survival instincts remain intact.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Hypocrisy of Gilead – The club exists despite Gilead’s official repression of sexuality. The Commander’s justification—”everyone’s human”—reveals the regime’s double standards.
- Costumes as Pastiche – The women’s outfits are scavenged from the past, mixing lingerie, sportswear, and novelty items. This jumble underscores how Gilead simultaneously exploits and distorts pre‑revolution femininity.
- The Rabbit Motif – Moira’s bunny costume ties into earlier mentions of rabbits as symbols of fertility and sexual objectification. The worn, ill‑fitting suit suggests the hollowness of this performance.
- The Washroom Signal – The hand signal, a remnant of Offred and Moira’s pre‑Gilead friendship, represents hope and the possibility of rebellion through small, coded acts.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is a turning point in the novel. It confirms that institutionalized prostitution exists at the highest levels of Gilead, exposing the regime’s moral bankruptcy. For Offred, seeing Moira alive rekindles her will to resist. Moira’s silent signal offers a thread of communication and a chance for solidarity. The chapter also deepens the Commander’s characterization as a man who enjoys breaking rules not out of love but out of a need to demonstrate power. Finally, the club setting forces Offred to confront the commodification of women in both the old world and the new.
Study Questions and Answers
1. What does the Commander’s behavior at the club reveal about his character?
The Commander acts showy and juvenile, winking at Offred and showing her off to other men. He takes pleasure in breaking Gilead’s rules under everyone’s noses, which reveals his arrogance, his need for validation, and his belief that he is immune to consequences.
2. How does the description of the women’s costumes reflect Gilead’s relationship with the past?
The costumes are a chaotic mix of styles from pre‑Gilead culture—lingerie, cheerleader outfits, bunny suits—none of which the women chose freely. Gilead selectively resurrects images of female sexuality while stripping women of agency, turning the past into a disposable costume.
3. Why is Moira’s signal important for Offred’s morale and the plot?
The hand signal recalls their former friendship and ability to communicate under pressure. It gives Offred a concrete reason to try to meet Moira, offering a potential ally and a chance to exchange information. This moment reignites Offred’s hope and sets up a possible escape or act of resistance.