Offred enters the gardens of the house through a picket fence. Picket fences are associated with picturesque American homes with picture-perfect families inside. This type of house and household is what Americans aspired to in the 1940s and 50s (and many still do). It was “The American Dream.” The new society of Gilead, at least those at the time, are trying to return to a former picture-perfect time (which never really existed— “Make America Great Again!”) Offred attributes human characteristics to the garden she’s walking through (personification, in other words). The garden is well groomed, perhaps like the Commander’s hair. But then she discusses the metaphor of a worm. She probably means more than she’s stating since a worm or snake can have sexual implications. This will not be lost on the reader later during a certain ceremony with the imagery of a slug (often found in gardens) in chapter fifteen. The presence and idea of male-ness permeates the book and Offred’s world. She hones her sights on Nick and the manly task he’s undergoing of washing the Commander’s car. The Commander...