We wait, the clock in the hall ticks, Serena lights…
““We wait, the clock in the hall ticks, Serena lights another cigarette, I get into the car. It’s a Saturday morning, it’s a September, we still have a car. Other people have had to sell theirs. My name isn’t Offred, I have another name, which nobody uses now because it’s forbidden. I tell myself it doesn’t matter, your name is like your telephone number, useful only to others; but what I tell myself is wrong, it does matter.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Handmaid’s Tale, Margaret Atwood, 1985
Identity is linked to names; losing it erodes self‑worth, yet reclaiming it restores agency.
In simple terms: Names matter for identity.
Key Takeaway
Protect your identity.
Themes
identity
self‑worth
resistance
Mood
reflective
somber
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- oppressive societies
- self‑affirmation
Key Concepts
existentialism
power dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- How does naming affect personal power?
- Can identity survive without a name?
A Different Perspective
Names alone cannot change systemic oppression.