Kindness, when given, is usually expected to be returned. More often than not, we find that kindness, in fact, is given so that something else of value can be returned. Kindness is often exchanged for similar priceless things like favoritism and prosperity, making the giver in such ways manipulative. When one contains the ulterior motive of receiving something in exchange for expected kindness, one has the ability to control not only the relationships around one, but also one's own singular destiny. For example, the character Offred from The Handmaid's Tale treats her masters Serena Joy and The Commander, as well as her only friend Ofglen, with kindness simply to gain certain confirmation of her own well-being. In Margaret Atwood's novel The Handmaid's Tale, Offred uses kindness to mask her inner thoughts and feelings in order to ensure her survival and destiny as a handmaid. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Although Offred's gentleness and calm character are expected in her classification as a servant, Offred's treatment of Serena Joy differs from her attitude. Having already known Serena Joy as an enthusiastic pioneer of Gilead's new regime, Offred works diligently to live up to her mother's expectations. Understanding that "it was best not to speak unless [asking] a direct question", Offred secures her status in the house through her silence and servitude, although inside she believes that as long as she presents herself Well, she'll be rewarded eventually. This inner belief results in small acts of rebellion from Offred; even though she speaks and acts as she should, Offred still identifies as an independent, free-thinking woman, her only rebellion. This gap between his inner nonconformity and his outward ways towards Serena Joy is what Offred believes will ultimately bring her some freedom. By operating under the guise of servitude, Offred can eventually gain a small amount of independence, at Serena Joy's will. Offred achieves this quite early on in the form of a cigarette and match given to her by Serena Joy, demonstrating that to truly manipulate someone, you have to be really nice and hide your inner motivations. Offred's kindness to her only friend Ofglen is originally done to ensure her social status among the other Handmaids, but Offred quickly learns that to gain information from her partner, she must act accordingly. Ofglen reveals himself as a true source of rebellion, and if Offred wants to share in that rebellion, she must show her willingness. Offred does this by kindly greeting Ofglen with the forbidden greeting "Hello" and mocking the Gilead enthusiasts with "I thought you were a true believer". By acting in this "old-fashioned" way and speaking their minds, Offred and Ofglen secure their friendship and affirm their superficial commitment to each other. Although Offred only complies to obtain information about the underground resistance, it is this behavior that does not associate Offred with anyone. She shows kindness to Ofglen only to manipulate her, making the reader understand that while Offred does not identify with the traditional regime of Gilead, she does not identify with the resistance movement either. Here it is shown that although Offred possesses traits of rebellion and kindness, she only does so to ensure her survival. Towards her ultimate master, the Commander, Offred is kind and almost invisible, thus ensuring her destiny as a woman. Servant. Offred remembers.