"Waste not want not. I am not being wasted, Why do I want?" (7)

      This allusion references a phrase that was common in the 1930s during the Great Depression. Its meaning is that those who waste will want- people who expend extra resources will naturally want more to expend. It was often said by women trying to conserve household supplies. This allusion was used in The Handmaid's Tale because handmaids like Offred were considered resources to increase the population. She is only "used" as needed, so she is not being wasted. However, Offred does not understand why she wants more than the simple life of a handmaid. Everything is provided for her, yet she still misses the old days when she had freedom.


 Source: Mieder, Wolfgang. A Dictionary of American Proverbs. 1. 1. New York: Oxford University              Press, 1992. Print.