In this chapter, Offred returns to her room and butters herself up. She’s feeling antsy, though, and decides to go exploring the house at night despite the risk. When she returns from the ceremony, she finds the butter, half-melted, and applies it to her face. We find out that it was “a decree of the Wives” that initiated the rule against Handmaids using face cream or anything that would make the Handmaid seem more attractive to the Commander. Interesting, considering we didn’t think women had any power. Or perhaps it’s that quiet power some wives have with powerful men still exists in this society. We also find out that the Red Center was actually called the Rachael and Leah Center. Understandably. The Handmaids call it the “Red Center” because there was so much red everywhere. She lies down on the bed and feels like toast—something to consume. She goes to the window and feels like a child. So consumption and infantilization come up here. But also the moon and motherhood come up again. She knows the moon is a rock (and surrounded...