Introduction
This paper is a fanfiction of the Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. It explores a different story that the novel could have written about when Ofglen and her underground resistance movement are introduced into the account.
The Meeting
When Offred met Ofglen, she would not have expected that she would have such a significant impact on her life. She would not have imagined that their acquaintance would not revolve merely around them going to get groceries together. She would not have believed that the two would be a force to reckon with that would bring the overdue change in Gilead and liberate every oppressed person. If you tried to tell her all these, even in jest, she would have accused you of trying to overthrow the regime and would have reported you and gotten you executed in the savage public execution. One day while walking in the park, as all Handmaids are required to do for their health, Ofglen informs Offred of their underground resistance movement. She tells her that the movement is made up of people who are uncomfortable with the status quo in Gilead and are willing to sacrifice their lives for change. Offred gasps in fear after hearing all this and uses her hand to cover her friend’s mouth. She tells her that she would not want any part in any rebellion and that talking about any of that endangered both their lives.
The U-turn Moment
Offred goes back home to her master Serena Joy who angrily rebukes her for taking too long in the park. She sends her on multiple errands within the house and is harsh when she drops a cup. She scolds her and sends her away when her husband, Fred, gets into the house. By this time, Fred adores Offred, and this may explain the jealousy from Serena. He feels sorry for her but cannot afford to speak out against it as this would mess with his marriage, making him even less respected in society. Offred is denied food for the night and locked in her room. She feels devastated the entire night and cries her lungs out. She remembers her husband and child, and Offred cannot hold back tears. Her heart aches, and she wishes there was a way to reunite with her former family. A sleep-deprived and depressed Offred recalls Ofglen’s earlier story about the underground resistance movement in the dead of night. She makes her mind up to enquire more about it as she feels the life she leads is inconsequential and that she would instead give it for a worthy cause that would see the people of Gilead saved from the oppressive state.
The next day, Offred informs Ofglen of her tribulations the previous night. She adds that she is interested in the underground resistance movement and enquires what she can do to help. Ofglen takes her to an abandoned building near the park, where she meets other resistance movement members. One of the women in that gathering informs Offred that she will be a treasured member of the resistance movement due to her Master’s rank in the force. She tells her that she can always share valuable information from her master about the government’s crackdown on the resistance movement. This would, in turn, enable the resistance movement to plan strategically. This way, none of them can be arrested and executed in public. Offred understands the risk she is taking by agreeing to work with the resistance movement but does not care. She believes that she can no longer continue living on her knees. She would either get liberty or death at this point and has made peace with it.
The Beginning of the Revolution
Later that night, she sneaks into Fred’s office with a seductive nightgown on. The plan is to peruse through his files and see what they have on the resistance movement. Should Fred walk into her, she plans to seduce him and lie to him that she had been waiting for him, for she had missed his touch. When Offred hears footsteps approaching the office, she gets near the door and has a peep outside. She sees Serena matching into the room. Offred understands that being caught by Serena would be catastrophic for her as Serena could get her killed. She swiftly hides under a table. Serena comes into the room and carefully passes her eyes across the entire room. As she is about to start moving things within the space, her husband comes in and asks her to join him in bed. Serena informs him that someone had been snooping around in his office, but he rubbishes it. She later follows him, and Offred is saved. This incident has her thinking about her involvement with the resistance, and she fears for her life.
The Final Resistance and Liberation
The next day, she informs fellow members of the resistance about the information she gained from Fred’s office. She tells them that Fred has names of some of them scribbled down and that the police would arrest them and execute them once they are done investigating them. She also informs them of a conversation she had overheard Fred have with a fellow officer where they had boasted about how grand the execution of the resistance members would be. They had intended to execute them together by the hundreds with all handmaids watching. This worries fellow members of the resistance, including Ofglen. They all bombard Offred wanting to know whether their names were on Fred’s list. She steps up and asks them not to panic. She reminds them that whether their names were on the list or not, the government would execute them sooner or later. She reminds them what the resistance stands for and that they had a duty to each other.
Later that week, handmaids whose masters own firearms coordinate to steal them. Offred successfully steals Fred’s pistol and would later use it for the upcoming revolution. She seduces her master to sleep one night and shoots him in his sleep. When Serena swiftly makes for the room to see her husband, Offred points the pistol at her. Serena surrenders and informs Offred that her jealousy was borne out of fear of losing her position in the house. Now that she is free, she pledges to join the resistance. Later that day, a record number of masters are slain by their handmaids. The police are also involved in the mutiny. They are divided along two lines. Those who support the revolution outnumber those against it. They execute their commanders and all officers against the revolution. During the commotion and fighting, Ofglen is shot and dies in Offred’s arms with a smile on her face. A new government would be constituted in Gilead, and it would involve everybody.