Being a handmaid in Gilead

Being a handmaid in Gilead

 

In the second quarter of the book, we learn about the Ceremony. It is the ritual they do to get a handmaid pregnant. It first starts with a prayer. Then, the handmaid lies between the wife’s legs, fully clothed (except for her underwear) and pulls up her skirt to let the commander do what he has to do.




 

When a handmaid goes into labour, all the handmaids and the wives meet at the delivery’s home. While the handmaid gives birth, the other handmaids surround her and support her by telling her to breathe. In another room, the wife, eventual mother of the child, is celebrating with the other wives, congratulating her.

 




It is forbidden for a handmaid to go into the commander’s office. That’s why Offred, the main character, found it very surprising when the commander asked to see her in his office. Despite the prohibition, she decided to go. In the office, there are books and games. The commander offered her to play Scrabble. No handmaids have the right to read, so this offer was very unexpected. When Offred was about to go, the commander asked her to kiss him. Offred doesn’t understand what all of this means.


 

Being a handmaid is a very difficult job, physically and mentally. Some handmaids can’t stand it, but they are forced to do so if they don’t want to be an Unwoman. The only way to get out of all this is to escape. This is what Moira, a friend of Offred, chooses to do. She took an aunt hostage, stole her clothes and got out. Offred has no news of her. Did she make it? Is she dead?




Comments

  1. Séléna NoëlMarch 29, 2021 at 11:26 AM

    I am really surprised to see that there is a ritual and that some handmaids finds it normal. It is kind of raping cases so I just found it surprising that only some handmaids couldn't stand it and not all of them.

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    Replies
    1. Liliane DufresneApril 12, 2021 at 11:49 AM

      Yes, I agree with you 100%. It would totally be unacceptable today. It is not that surprising that some Handmaids stayed and "accepted" the fact to being controlled everyday and being forced to get pregnant considering the fear they must have lived in and everything surrounding this lifestyle they were in.

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