NEW-Handmaids Tale, The

1. Gilead's oppressive regime strips women of identity and agency.

Everything except the wings around my face is red: the color of blood, which defines us.

Loss of self. The Republic of Gilead enforces strict social control, particularly over women, who are stripped of their names, rights, and individual identities. Women are categorized by their reproductive function, with Handmaids like Offred reduced to their ability to bear children.

Control through clothing. The Handmaids' red dresses and white wings serve as a constant reminder of their subjugated status, limiting their visibility and freedom of movement. This uniform appearance erases individuality and reinforces the regime's control.

Denial of education and literacy. Gilead prohibits women from reading and writing, further isolating them and preventing them from accessing knowledge and independent thought. This denial of education ensures their dependence on the ruling class and reinforces their subservient role in society.

2. Memories of the past offer solace and resistance.

I try not to think too much. Like other things now, thought must be rationed.

Nostalgia as refuge. In the face of Gilead's oppressive present, Offred clings to memories of her past life, recalling her husband, daughter, and the freedoms she once enjoyed. These memories provide a sense of self and a reminder of what has been lost.

Reclaiming identity. By remembering her real name and past experiences, Offred resists the regime's attempts to erase her identity. These acts of remembrance become small but significant acts of defiance.

The power of storytelling. Offred's narrative serves as a testament to the importance of preserving personal histories and experiences, even in the face of censorship and oppression. Storytelling becomes a way to reclaim agency and resist the regime's control over memory.

3. The power dynamics between women are complex and fraught.

It's not the husbands you have to watch out for, said Aunt Lydia, it's the Wives.

Hierarchical structure. Gilead's social structure creates a complex web of power dynamics between women, with Wives, Marthas, and Handmaids occupying different positions in the hierarchy. These power imbalances often lead to resentment, jealousy, and competition.

Wives' complicity. The Wives, though also subjugated by the regime, wield power over the Handmaids, enforcing the rules and perpetuating the system of oppression. Their complicity highlights the ways in which women can be both victims and perpetrators of patriarchal control.

Solidarity and betrayal. Despite the power imbalances, moments of solidarity and connection emerge between women, as they share information, offer support, and resist the regime in small ways. However, the ever-present threat of betrayal underscores the precariousness of these alliances.

4. Desire and rebellion persist even in the most controlled environments.

There was old sex in the room and loneliness, and expectation, of something without a shape or name.

Suppression of sexuality. Gilead attempts to control and suppress female sexuality, reducing women to their reproductive function and denying them any agency over their own bodies. This suppression leads to a pervasive sense of longing and frustration.

Underground desires. Despite the regime's efforts, desire and longing persist, finding expression in forbidden relationships, secret encounters, and acts of rebellion. These underground desires represent a challenge to Gilead's control and a yearning for freedom.

The power of touch. In a world where physical contact is strictly regulated, even the smallest act of touch becomes charged with meaning and significance. A stolen kiss, a hand squeeze, or a shared cigarette can serve as powerful acts of defiance and connection.

5. Language and storytelling become acts of defiance.

I would like to believe this is a story I'm telling. I need to believe it.

Control of language. Gilead controls language, limiting women's access to words and information. Signs are replaced with pictures, and women are forbidden from reading and writing, further restricting their ability to think and communicate independently.

Reclaiming language. Offred's narrative becomes an act of resistance, as she reclaims language and uses it to document her experiences and challenge the regime's control. Storytelling becomes a way to preserve memory and assert her humanity.

Forbidden words. The power of forbidden words, like "sterile" or "freedom," highlights the regime's fear of independent thought and the potential for language to inspire rebellion. These words become symbols of resistance and a reminder of what has been lost.

6. The Ceremony highlights the dehumanization of women.

There remains a mirror, on the hall wall. If I turn my head so that the white wings framing my face direct my vision towards it, I can see it as I go down the stairs, round, convex, a pier glass, like the eye of a fish, and myself in it like a distorted shadow, a parody of something, some fairy-tale figure in a red cloak, descending towards a moment of carelessness that is the same as danger. A Sister, dipped in blood.

Ritualized rape. The Ceremony, a monthly ritual in which Handmaids are forced to have sex with Commanders while lying between their Wives' legs, epitomizes the dehumanization of women in Gilead. This act reduces women to their reproductive function and denies them any agency or pleasure.

Loss of intimacy. The Ceremony is devoid of intimacy and emotion, highlighting the regime's attempt to separate sex from love and connection. This separation further objectifies women and reinforces their status as mere vessels for reproduction.

Serena Joy's role. Serena Joy's presence during the Ceremony underscores the power dynamics between women in Gilead. Her participation in this ritual highlights the ways in which women can be complicit in their own oppression.

7. Hope and connection are essential for survival.

Ordinary, said Aunt Lydia, is what you are used to. This may not seem ordinary to you now, but after a time it will, It will become ordinary.

Finding solace in small joys. Even in the face of extreme oppression, Offred finds moments of joy and solace in small things, such as the beauty of nature, the taste of an egg, or the memory of a loved one. These small joys provide a sense of hope and a reason to keep going.

The importance of friendship. Offred's relationships with other women, particularly Moira and Ofglen, provide essential support and connection in a world designed to isolate and divide. These friendships offer a sense of belonging and a reminder of shared humanity.

Acts of kindness. Even small acts of kindness, such as Cora's willingness to lie for Offred or Rita's offering of an ice cube, can provide a sense of hope and connection in a world defined by cruelty and oppression. These acts of compassion demonstrate the resilience of the human spirit.

8. Complicity and resistance intertwine in unexpected ways.

There is more than one kind of freedom, said Aunt Lydia. Freedom to and freedom from.

The illusion of choice. Gilead presents women with a limited set of choices, often framed as opportunities for freedom or safety. However, these choices are often illusory, designed to reinforce the regime's control and maintain the status quo.

Subtle acts of resistance. Even within the confines of Gilead, individuals find ways to resist the regime, often through subtle acts of defiance, such as sharing information, questioning authority, or clinging to memories of the past. These acts of resistance, though small, represent a challenge to Gilead's power.

The gray areas of morality. The characters in The Handmaid's Tale often grapple with difficult moral choices, blurring the lines between complicity and resistance. These moral ambiguities highlight the complexities of survival in an oppressive regime.

9. The search for meaning continues amidst oppression.

I know why there is no glass, in front of the watercolor picture of blue irises, and why the window opens only partly and why the glass in it is shatterproof. It isn't running away they're afraid of. We wouldn't get far. It's those other escapes, the ones you can open in yourself, given a cutting edge.

Finding purpose in a meaningless world. In a world stripped of meaning and purpose, Offred searches for ways to make sense of her experiences and find value in her existence. This search for meaning becomes a form of resistance, a way to assert her humanity in the face of dehumanization.

The power of observation. Offred's keen observations of her surroundings and the people around her provide a sense of control and understanding in a world where she has little agency. These observations become a way to make sense of the chaos and find patterns in the seemingly random events of her life.

The importance of self-reflection. By reflecting on her past and present experiences, Offred gains a deeper understanding of herself and the world around her. This self-reflection becomes a way to maintain her sense of self and resist the regime's attempts to control her thoughts and emotions.

Last updated: March 11, 2025