"...with Lauren Bacall or Katherine Hepburn, women on their own, making up their minds. " (25)

          These allusions to Lauren Bacall and Katherine Hepburn recall a time that Offred is longing for- a time when women had the choice of their career, clothing, and relationships. These particular allusions were chosen because of what each celebrity represents. Lauren Bacall was unique, a dark voice in a world of high-pitched squeals.She was sultry and intriguing, known for her affair with Humphrey Bogart. She was independent and successful, with a signature look- her head tilted down and her eyes peering upward at the camera. She was incredibly smart and feisty, and was known to turn down scripts that did not interest her. Offred longs to be as decisive and unique as Lauren Bacall, rather than just another red cloaked body in the crowd. Katherine Hepburn was admirable to her for many of the same reasons. Hepburn was well-educated, ambitious, and rebellious- often breaking curfew to smoke cigarettes and swim naked in the fountain at her prestigious school. Offred admires how Katherine Hepburn breaks the rules- how she has the freedom to make the choice to break the rules.She pines for the same freedom herself.

Sources:            "Katherine Hepburn." Wikipedia, Web.
                                 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katharine_Hepburn>.

"Lauren Bacall." Wikipedia, Web.
                     <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lauren_Bacall>.