What is the Importance of Moira in the Handmaid’s Tale?

Moira is a strong character whose determination and past life experiences influence her actions within the new Gilead regime. Moira is undoubtedly a role model for the handmaids in the novel as she is brave and is motivated by her beliefs from which she developed even before the regime was introduced. Moira is also Offred’s friend with whom she can associate comfort and trust. However, her determination for her own survival shows her to be selfish and dangerous.

One of the underlying purposes of Moira in the novel is as a link to Offred’s past. There are many occasions in the novel when Offred refers to her friendship with Moira before the regime:

‘There was a time we didn’t hug after she told me she was gay, but then she said I didn’t turn her on’

Throughout the novel Moira is displayed as a flamboyant character, here, she willingly jokes about her sexuality in order to comfort Offred. She appears to be a complete contrast to Offred as she is bold and out-going, her language is vulgar and brash. Furthermore, the fact that she is allowed to be gay in society shows how much more freedom there was in a pre-Gilead culture.

Moira is a clear role model for the handmaids, especially Offred. She displays exceptional courage and determination throughout her time at the Red Centre:

‘You can’t let her go slipping over the edge. That stuff is catching’

When Janine shows weakness in the Red Centre, Moira takes it upon herself to help her and make sure the Aunts don’t find her like it. The fact she tells Offred how to help Janine shows Moira plans to escape. The escape from the Red Centre for the Handmaid’s is a fantasy, and when Moira successfully escapes, she too becomes their fantasy. Offred is particularly impressed by Moira’s actions and at one point states ‘ if I were Moira, I’d know how to take it apart’ This shows Offred’s respect for Moira, and suggests her will to be like her. However, Offred makes no attempt to act like Moira, as her disbelief in herself is too strong.

Although Moira is caring and a good friend to Offred, her plans to escape the regime are entirely selfish:

‘I’ve got to get out of here, I’m going bats. I feel panic’

Not only does Moira not consider Offred’s panic when she tells her she wants to leave but she also implies her escape will be on her own and for herself. Moira’s resistance could be a direct danger to Offred, as she is associated as her friend and could therefore be considered either as a source of information for Moira’s whereabouts or as a rebel herself. Although Offred’s intentions for Moira to stay may also be selfish, as Moira is her only companion, and brings about an air of protectiveness and hope, because she never shows fear and always seems to believe she will escape.

The fact Offred finds Moira in Jezebel’s hints she has been unsuccessful, as she has escaped to a place, which goes against herself and her ideals:

‘That shit you’re with? I’ve had him, he’s the pits’

This quote shows she has slept with men, something she would not have been inclined to do in a pre-Gilead society, this clearly shows Moira is not a free woman. Moira is also wearing something she would not haven chosen freely, her out-fit is intended to make her look sexually attractive to men. This is something that Moira would have campaigned against before the new regime was introduced. The fact that Moira was unsuccessful makes her less of a role model in Offred’s mind and her mistake was to be too determined. Moira acted on impulse and needed to seek a more powerful resistance than her. Offred’s comfort she takes from Jezebels is maybe that the resistance she has discovered is her escape route. Offred now knows she can be successful without being Moira.

So, Moira is a strong-minded politically aware woman. Her beliefs in feminism motivate her to resist the sexist regime she has been forced to comply with. Moira is a constant reminder of past life, as she represents freedom for women in a pre-Gilead and Gilead regime, although the sexism she now fights against is magnified in Gilead.

Moira’s determination is a contrast to Offred’s, and her bravery is something, which all the Handmaids wish they had. Moira’s heroine status makes her seem she can help any of them and they perceive her to be successful. However, in reality Moira has become a prostitute in Jezebel’s. Moira has become something that symbolises what she has fought against mentally and physically throughout her life. Moira is an example in the novel of failed determination. She shows that Offred’s subtle attempts to resist the regime and find others like her are not useless.