The quote from Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale" highlights the specific terminology used to describe bachelor apartments, particularly studio apartments. These living spaces are often deemed private, with a separate entrance indicating a level of independence that allows for personal activities, such as intimate relationships, to occur without external scrutiny. This sets up a stark contrast between the concept of personal freedom and the oppressive societal norms depicted in the narrative.

Atwood's reference to the discrete nature of these apartments serves as a commentary on the larger themes of autonomy and control in her dystopian world. In a society where personal rights, especially regarding sexuality, are heavily regulated, the idea of a “bachelor” space becomes a symbol of lost liberties. The juxtaposition of independence represented by a studio apartment against the backdrop of the regime's strict surveillance underscores the protagonist's struggle for freedom and self-identification.