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What are the names of the girls in Chapter 1 of The Handmaid's Tale?

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Final answer:

The Handmaid's Tale does not provide the real names of the girls in Chapter 1, as the dystopian society of Gilead de-personalizes women to reflect their oppressed status.

Step-by-step explanation:

In Chapter 1 of The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood, the names of the girls are not explicitly mentioned. The narrative is designed to de-personalize the characters, reflecting the oppressive regime of Gilead in which women, especially Handmaids, are stripped of their former identities and given new names that signify ownership by their Commander. For instance, the protagonist is known as Offred, which is not her real name but a patronymic that indicates she "belongs" to Fred. This naming convention underscores the loss of individuality and personal agency experienced by women in the novel.

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