Final answer:
In Margaret Atwood's 'The Handmaid's Tale,' the commander first gives Offred a red dress to wear, symbolizing her role as a Handmaid in the Gilead society.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question pertains to the novel "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood. In this dystopian story, the main character, Offred, is provided with clothing that signifies her role within the society of Gilead. The commander first gives Offred a red dress to wear. This red dress is a symbol of her status as a Handmaid, whose role is to bear children for the elite couples. The color red is emblematic of the Handmaids and is a recurring theme throughout the novel, representing fertility and the control over the reproductive rights of women in the society.