Explanation:
Offred’s tattoo holds significant symbolism in dystopian novel, “The Handmaid’s Tale.” The tattoo, consisting of a series of numbers and letters on her ankle, marks Offred as a Handmaid, a fertile woman assigned to bear children for high-ranking individuals in the oppressive society of Gilead. The tattoo is a visible emblem of her status and identity, a constant reminder of her subjugation and loss of autonomy. It serves as a powerful metaphor for the erasure of her individuality, reducing her to a mere vessel for procreation. The tattoo represents the dehumanization and control exerted by the totalitarian regime, highlighting the themes of gender oppression and the suppression of women’s agency throughout the novel.