Welcome to the Republic of Gilead, a chilling, dystopian, theocratic society envisioned by Margaret Atwood that has the potential to haunt our dreams indefinitely. This nightmarish world serves as a cautionary tale about what could happen if a patriarchal regime led by misogynistic, religious extremists seized control. After diving into the first few episodes of Hulu’s adaptation of The Handmaid’s Tale, I find myself captivated—perhaps I enjoy being unsettled in 57-minute intervals.
Having adored the original novel, I’m pleased that the show remains largely faithful to the plot while updating elements of Offred’s world to include references to modern-day conveniences like Tinder and Uber. The premise of this new United States is unsettling: What if infertility rates skyrocketed, leading society into chaos? And what if that chaos allowed radical religious groups to take the reins?
The result? A grim reality, as depicted in both Atwood’s book and the series.
The narrative is seen through the eyes of Offred, a “handmaid”—a fertile woman coerced into bearing children for elite couples. We are privy to her inner thoughts, which starkly contrast with the compliant exterior she must present. For instance, during a mandated walk with her partner, she internally labels the woman “a pious little jerk.”
All handmaids are named with the prefix “Of,” signifying ownership, followed by the name of the commander they serve. In Offred’s case, she belongs to a man named Fred, whose wife is deemed responsible for their inability to conceive—because, of course, men are blameless. The theocratic regime in The Handmaid’s Tale interprets scripture with a selective lens, clinging to passages that reinforce their ideology.
Sound Alarmingly Familiar?
Take, for instance, the concept of handmaids, which is rooted in Genesis 30:1-3, where Rachel offers her maid to Jacob in her desperation to bear children: “And she said, Behold my maid Bilhah, go in unto her; and she shall bear upon my knees, that I may also have children by her.”
In the series, Offred, originally named June, experiences a rapid unraveling of her rights. Once a woman with a career, a husband, and a daughter, she suddenly finds herself in a reality where women are barred from working. When attempting to access her bank account, she discovers that only her husband or male relative can touch her finances. Offred observes, “That’s how we let it happen. Nothing changes instantaneously. In a gradually heating bathtub, you’d be boiled to death before you knew it.” Rights are stripped away incrementally, often justified by claims of national security or terrorism. Racism, sexism, and homophobia become normalized.
These changes creep in slowly; they might even begin with an election of someone who undermines women’s rights or a health care policy that treats women as “less than.” The parallels to our current climate are impossible to ignore.
The series showcases numerous disturbing scenes, and I would advise caution for viewers with histories of trauma. There are graphic depictions of violence, including the handmaids facing brutal punishment or committing unspeakable acts. A particularly harrowing scene illustrates the “before” era, with peaceful protests met by armed law enforcement, echoing memories of recent marches for women’s rights, where I encountered stoic police officers. How far would it take for our government to deem our rights nonexistent? What if protesting became illegal?
While this is fiction, it resonates deeply when we realize that the world in The Handmaid’s Tale is simply a magnification of intolerance. Racism, homophobia, and a devaluation of women propel this new society, and sadly, this feels all too real. The current administration thrives on intolerance toward differing beliefs.
Offred’s primary mission is to reclaim her child, a testament to the lengths a mother will go for her offspring. In that regard, this is the central theme: a mother’s fierce determination.
The key takeaway from the initial episodes? Intolerance and irrational fear can lead to dire consequences. And yes, mothers are incredibly resilient—something we all know to be true.
For those interested in further exploring the topic of home insemination, check out our other post on Intracervical Insemination. For additional insights on fertility, visit Make a Mom, an expert in the field. And for comprehensive information regarding infertility treatments, Johns Hopkins Medicine offers an excellent resource.
Summary
The Handmaid’s Tale serves as a chilling reflection of societal intolerance and the potential erosion of rights, exploring the lengths a mother will go to protect her child. The narrative serves as both a cautionary tale and a call to awareness regarding the fragility of our freedoms in the face of oppressive ideologies.