Luke Bankole

Lore & Background

Luke's story is defined by the tragedy of separation. In the world where society was reorganized along strict hierarchical lines following the Second American Civil War, June and Luke were caught trying to cross into safety. The regime classified their union as adulterous because Luke had been previously divorced, rendering them 'fallen' in the eyes of Gilead's theonomic government. As a result, June was stripped of her rights, renamed Offred, and assigned to Commander Fred Waterford. Their daughter, Hannah, was taken from them and given to an upper-class family to raise. Luke, however, was separated from June and Hannah during the escape attempt and was not captured alongside them. He later managed to escape to Canada, though the novel does not confirm a prison camp, and the TV series shows him escaping without specifying one. For much of the narrative, June believes he is dead, but it is later revealed that he survived. His existence outside Gilead serves as a constant reminder of the life they lost and the hope for reunion that drives June's internal evolution.

In Their Own Story

After their capture during the flight to Canada, June was forced into the role of a Handmaid, while Hannah was renamed Agnes MacKenzie and placed with a new family. Luke's survival is confirmed when June discovers he managed to escape into Canada alone. Throughout the story, much of the plot revolves around June's desire to be reunited with him. He represents the 'time before'—a life where they were simply a married couple with a child, free from the brutal subjugation and ritualized ceremonies of Gilead. His survival stands in contrast to the fate of many others who perished during the civil war or the takeover.

Reader's Guide

Luke Bankole is identified as June's husband from before Gilead. He was captured alongside her while attempting to flee to Canada with their daughter, Hannah. Due to his prior divorce, their marriage was considered invalid and adulterous under Gileadian law, leading to June's enslavement. While June was forced to bear children for Commander Fred Waterford, Luke escaped to Canada. The narrative confirms that he is alive, though separated from his family. His character arc is largely viewed through June's perspective as she struggles with the reality of their separation and the changes Gilead has wrought on her life.

Did You Know?

• Luke Bankole was separated from June and Hannah during the escape attempt to Canada, not captured alongside them.
• Under Gileadian law, Luke's prior divorce meant his marriage to June was considered adulterous.
• June initially believed Luke had been killed during the escape attempt.
• Luke later escaped to Canada, but the novel does not confirm a prison camp, and the TV series depicts his escape without specifying one.
• The plot heavily revolves around June's desire to be reunited with her husband and daughter.