I’ve found myself often mulling my least favorite character in this novel: Janine. She’s the only character in the book for whom the narrator expresses clear contempt. While she may quietly deride or ignore other figures in her life, Janine is the only person clearly within limits. Clearly, Offred is not alone in this. The prevailing sentiment at the Red Center is to “[treat] her the way people used t treat those with no legs who sold pencils on street corners (133).” Clearly, Janine is damaged.