"Consider the Importance and Presentation of Moira in the Novel"
             Moira is important to "The Handmaids Tale", representing the more rebellious nature of humanity, she refuses to accept her fate as a handmaid, contrasting starkly with the other women in the novel who behave in a much more passive manner.
             Moira represents an alternative to the meek subservience and acceptance of one's fate that most of the Handmaids adopt.
             Moira is always known by her real name because she never actually becomes a Handmaid. She is a strong individual, which is a personality trait, which can be viewed in two ways, depending on whether we look through the eyes of Offred or through the eyes of a Gilead authority figure. From Offred's point of view Moira is the embodiment of female heroism. Though the eyes of a supporter of Gilead, Moira is a 'loose woman', a criminal element, and a danger to the other, more obedient women.
             Throughout the novel, Moira's relationship with Offred epitomises female friendship. Gilead claims to promote solidarity between women, but in fact it only produces suspicion, hostility, and tyranny. The kind of relationship that Moira and Offred maintain from their college years can not be maintained in Gilead.
             Moira is the only character who stands up to authority directly by make two escape attempts, one successful, from the Red Centre, unfortunately getting captured before managing to escape the oppressive society of Gilead. Even the way Moira escapes shows us her rebellious nature. She removes her own clothes and wears those of an Aunt. This symbolises her rejection of Gilead's attempt to remove her individuality.
             Moira continues to emerge in Offred's memory throughout the novel, until her devastatingly final appearance at Jezebel's working as a prostitute in a club for the Commanders. Although most women would be disgusted at the thought of being a prostitute, Moi
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