In Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale," an old joke highlights the chilling reality of the story. It suggests that a seemingly innocent question about a person's well-being can reveal deeper issues, particularly in a society where movement and freedom are restricted. The exchange underscores a pervasive sense of fear and control, where even the act of moving can provoke anxiety and the risk of unwelcome attention. The quote points to the oppressive environment the characters inhabit, where compliance and stillness are valued over individuality. This reflects the broader themes of the novel, which grapples with issues of autonomy, power, and the consequences of a dystopian society. The joke's dark humor emphasizes how normalized such control has become, making readers consider the implications of living in a world where personal freedoms are systematically stripped away.