“Everything except the wings around my face is red: the color of blood, which defines us.... The white wings too prescribed issue; they are to keep us from seeing, but also from being seen.” (8)
When Offred says “the color of blood, which defines us,” Atwood is referring to the fact that a Handmaid’s life and job revolves around their reproductive systems. But as in the red “A” in The Scarlet Letter, the red color of the Handmaid’s clothing also represents and symbolizes adultery and shame. And in a way, they are committing some kind of adultery; they have sex with another woman’s husband once a month. In contrast with the rest of their clothing, the white of the wings that the Handmaids wear around their faces could represent purity—with the purpose of making the adultery appear less sinful.
"Red." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 04 Sept. 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red>.
"The Scarlet Letter." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 04 Sept. 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Scarlet_Letter>.
nice connection here -- and clearly one Atwood wants us to make
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