In Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale,” Offred’s fragmented recall of the past and her subversive language function as a form of defiance against the oppressive regime of Gilead. By constantly piecing together memories of her pre-Gilead life, Offred maintains a sense of identity and normalcy that the regime tries to erase. These fragments become a testament to a life Gilead stole, a reminder of a past they can’t control. Furthermore, Offred’s subversive use of language, through veiled insults and redefining Gilead’s terminology, disrupts the regime’s power structure. By reclaiming the meaning of words, she challenges the regime’s control over information and perception. Both fragmented memories and subversive language become acts of resistance, keeping Offred’s spirit alive and chipping away at the totalitarian control Gilead seeks.