Behind the Curtains of Gilead

In these next few chapters, many details have clarified the Handmaids’ role in the novel. Serena’s hatred of Offred, the Handmaids’ obsession with fertility, references to declining birth rates, and the doctor visits all indirectly suggest that Handmaids live to bear children to their Commanders. Outlawed actions go on behind the curtains of Gilead.

Chapter 7

    Even though Offred has forgotten a large portion of her life because of an injection or a pill they forced upon her, she still lies awake at night holding tight to the memories she has left. The night is her own time to recall on her former life. During this time she remembers her college friend, Moria, and the times they shared together. Offred also remembers buring pornographic magazines with her mother in a park as a child. She tells us her story about waking up and screaming for her daughter. They took her; this is a mother’s worst nightmare.

“If it’s a story I’m telling, then I have control over the ending. Then there will be an ending, to the story, and real life will come after it. I can pick up where I left off.”

She longs for her old life. She lies awake at night, with hope and faith, that there will come a day where everything will be restored to her again. I want to believe this will be a happy ending. I want to believe one day she will see her husband and daughter again. But I am just so unsure on what is to come.

Chapter 8

    Returning from another walk, Offred and Ofglen go past the Wall. A priest and two Guardians with placards around their necks that read “Gender Treachery” are hanging there. This implies they were engaging in homosexual acts, which is against their law. Remember what Offred said in previous chapters, though. They are not allowed to have interactions with the women. Hmm. At this point, we notice how annoyed Offred really gets with Ofglen. She says that she cannot tell whether Ofglen is “mourning or gloating.” She’s the one who has to tell her it’s time to go because she knows she would stay there all day. We can tell that she resents her “meekness.” Or is it really so? Maybe she is just pretending, putting on a front.

    On their way back, they walk past a funeral of Econowives, the wives of poorer men. “Some day, when times improve, says Aunt Lydia, no one will have to be an Econowife.” The mother is carrying a small black jar; it contains the baby she miscarried, too young to be put into a box. Offred tells us that the Econowives do not like the Handmaids. I mean, it makes sense though. I’m sure they’re treated better than them, living in the Commander’s house and all that comes along with it. One of the wives scowl at them and the other spits on the sidewalk as they cross paths.

    Offred returns home, and Nick asks her about her walk. Why does he keep speaking to her? Does he have a motive or is he genuinely engaging in conversation even though he knows he’s forbidden to? “All flesh is weak.” Offred is reminded of Aunt Lydia saying this to her.

“It’s up to you to set the boundaries. Later you will be thanked.”

Okay, what?? She’s telling her that women are responsible for these actions because “God made them that way but He did not make you that way.” This is sickening to me! I hate the way they have programmed them to think.

    Offred recalls how Serena Joy became a spokesperson for respecting “the sanctity of the home” and for women staying at home instead of working. Ironically, she was never home because she was always out giving speeches. Now, “she has become speechless.” At one point, someone tried to assassinate her but killed her secretary instead. She must’ve been a big deal. Offred wonders if Serena is angry now that what she advocated for is their reality. All women are confined to a home, including her. Did she get what she wanted?

    This chapter ends on a cliffhanger, leaving me eager to continue on. There is someone standing by Offred’s room. A man…

It’s the Commander. When he hears her coming, he turns and hesitates. Then he walks forward toward her. Offred is left not knowing what to do. She realizes the importance of this situation, but she doesn’t know what it means. He eventually leaves, and she ponders on it. “He is violating custom.” I honestly don’t know what to think about this. Is he favoring her? Hopefully, we find out.

Chapter 9

    In this chapter we find out some juicy news about Offred! Of course we know she isn’t a saint, but when I find this out I was shook. She reveals that when she first met Luke they were having an affair; Luke was married at the time. She reflects on the hotel rooms they would share together and how she regrets not appreciating the freedom she had. I’ve learned she regrets a lot. It’s mainly because she is given so much time to think; thinking can overwhelm us. It can consume us.

“How were we to know we were happy?”

    She remembers examining the room in the Commander’s house when she first arrived. She divided the room into sections to review one at a time. She did not want to waste them like she did the hotel rooms. She saw stains on the mattress, and she discovered a Latin phrase scratched into the floor of the closet. “Nolite te bastardes carborundorum.” I’ve done my research, and, according to Vanity Fair, “it’s a made up phrase in mock Latin.” “If it were a real phrase, it would roughly translate to ‘don’t let the bastards grind you down.’” This is pretty cool to me. Even though they are forbidden to read or write, the woman before Offred didn’t care. She wrote this for the next woman to see. I enjoy the rebelliousness. It excites me. This pleases Offred to know someone wrote it with intention for her to find it.

Chapter 10

    Summer is approaching, and the Handmaids will be allowed to wear their summer dresses. Offred thinks of Aunt Lydia scrutinizing women in their former lives. She talks about the terrible “things” happening to them. “Oiling themselves like roast meat… bare backs and shoulders, on the street, in public, and legs, not even stockings on them, no wonder those things used to happen.” I’m really not sure what she’s implying here, but, honestly, I’m a little offended. She sounds like a great grandma criticising modern teenagers for what they choose to wear nowadays. Aunt Lydia is really starting to rub me the wrong way. Offred always referencing her shows how much of an influence she has, though.

Chapter 11

    This chapter is wiiiiild. Up to this point, all rules and laws have been followed. Not in this chapter. Finally something that draws my attention! Offred goes to the doctor once a month, so she tells us the story of what happened yesterday. She’s always tested for pregnancy and disease. After she arrives, she undresses in the doctor’s office, pulling a sheet over her head to cover her face. This is sorta ridiculous to me… like is this necessary? As the doctor comes in, he’s very cheerful and calls her “honey.” As he is doing his regular inspection, he suddenly whispers to her that he can help her. Many of the Commanders are too old or sterile, unable to produce a child. He suggests having sex with her to get her pregnant. “‘I hate to see what they put you through,’ he murmurs. It’s genuine, genuine sympathy; and yet he’s enjoying this, sympathy and all. His eyes are moist with compassion, his hand is moving on me, nervously and with impatience.” Ok, wow. This says it all. I want to believe it truly is genuine, but there is something that tells me this isn’t good. She declines after thinking about it. It’s too much of a risk.

“It’s the choice that terrifies me. A way out, a salvation.”

Chapter 13

In this chapter, we are introduced to the horrid tragedy of Testifying. Offred tells of a memory during Testifying in front of Aunt Helena and Aunt Lydia; Janine testifies about being raped and having an abortion at fourteen.

 

“But whose fault was it? Aunt Helena says, holding up one plump finger. Her fault, her fault, her fault, we chant in unison. Who led them on? Aunt Helena beams, pleased with us. She did. She did. She did. Why did God allow such terrible things to happen? Teach her a lesson. Teach her a lesson. Teach her a lesson.”

 

They continued to mock and despise her: “Crybaby. Crybaby. Crybaby.” Offred expresses that she is ashamed of this. Aunt Lydia tells Janine that she is an example. Personally, this was very difficult for me to read. First, I firmly believe that no victim of rape is at fault. No matter the circumstance, to say that someone who was raped is responsible goes against everything I believe. Second, I do not believe that God allows terrible things to happen to us to “teach us a lesson.” Personally, I believe that He gives us freedom to make our own decisions, and because we are human, we make mistakes that often dramatically affect those around us. Often times, we are unwillingly involved in the poor decisions of others. This is not because God wants to punish us. This happens because of our own decisions; however, God can take those situations and turn them for good. This book challenges me to remind myself what I truly believe. Sadly, the Handmaids are not given a choice, and they cannot outwardly believe what they want. Everything is forced, even their way of thinking.

 

Moving from that topic, Offred goes into the bathroom and fearfully watches for blood. “For when it comes it means failure.” “I am a cloud, congealed around a central object.” She realizes her worth to them. She is used. I can’t imagine the torment this brings to her mentally. Her life is worth so much more.