Final answer:
Offred envies Rita for her access to a knife in 'The Handmaid's Tale' as it symbolizes a measure of autonomy and power in a repressive society.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question 'Why does Offred envy Rita her access to the knife?' comes from Margaret Atwood's novel The Handmaid's Tale, which is set in a dystopian future where society is governed by a theocratic regime. Offred, the protagonist, envies Rita, a household servant, because she has access to a knife. In their society, women are stripped of their autonomy and subjected to strict controls, and most are denied access to potential weapons. Thus, Rita's access to a knife symbolizes a small, yet significant, amount of power and autonomy. Offred's envy highlights her own powerlessness and desire for control over her life and destiny in a repressive society.