Boston
A city of silence where the past is buried and women are reduced to their biology.
Boston is the historical capital of Massachusetts and serves as a primary setting for the narrative of The Handmaid's Tale. In the dystopian regime of Gilead, it has been renamed a province of the Republic of Gilead, though many characters still refer to it by its former name in private or internal monologue. As the site where the protagonist Offred resides in the household of Commander Waterford, Boston functions as a microcosm for the entire theocratic state, illustrating the brutal enforcement of gender roles and the systematic erasure of pre-Gilead history.
- Former Status
- Capital of Massachusetts, USA
- Current Affiliation
- Republic of Gilead
- Key Location
- The Commander's House (Offred's residence)
- Notable Districts
- Jezebel's brothel (in Cambridge), The Wall, The Colonies (remote region)
- Primary Function
- Administrative center and breeding ground for elite families
- Atmosphere
- Oppressive, surveilled, and historically erased
Lore & Background
Life in Gilead's Boston is defined by rigid hierarchy and constant surveillance. The city is patrolled by the Eyes, secret police who ensure compliance with the law, while the Aunts enforce domestic discipline within the households. Despite the outward appearance of order, a dark undercurrent of resistance flows through the streets. Women are categorized strictly by their function: Wives, Marthas, Handmaids, or Econowives, with no room for individuality. The city's geography is manipulated to control movement; women cannot travel alone, and men wear uniforms that signify their rank within the new state. Notably, the infamous Jezebel's brothel is located in nearby Cambridge, not within Boston proper, and the Colonies are a remote, separate region far from the city.
In Their Own Story
The morning mist clings to the cobblestones of Boston, hiding nothing from the Eyes who watch from the shadows of the brick buildings. Offred pulls her red sleeves tight against the chill, her eyes fixed on the pavement as she walks with Ofglen. The silence is heavy, broken only by the rhythmic click of their shoes and the distant shout of a guard. Above them, the sky is a pale, washed-out grey, offering no comfort. They pass a building where the windows are barred, once a school, now a place of interrogation. In this city, even the wind seems to whisper warnings, reminding everyone that in Gilead, the past is a dangerous thing to remember.
Reader's Guide
The physical layout of Boston under Gilead is designed to enforce separation and control. Residential areas are strictly segregated by class, with Commanders' houses situated in manicured enclaves while lower-ranking citizens live in crowded, deteriorating quarters. The streets are wide but empty during the day for women, who must travel in pairs or with permission. Conduct within the city is governed by a complex web of religious laws and unspoken threats. Women are forbidden from reading, working, or owning property. They must wear specific uniforms: red for Handmaids, white for Wives, green for Marthas, and blue for Econowives. Any deviation from this dress code or behavioral norm invites immediate punishment. Symbolically, Boston represents the ultimate triumph of Gilead's ideology over individual freedom. The renaming of streets, the destruction of libraries, and the public executions on 'The Wall' serve as constant reminders that the state owns every aspect of life. The city is a living monument to the regime's belief in order through oppression.
Did You Know?
- There is no canonical evidence that Boston was one of the first cities fully integrated into Gilead following the coup.
- The famous 'Jezebel's' brothel, where Handmaids are occasionally sent for punishment or reward, is located in Cambridge, not within Boston city limits.
- Many pre-Gilead landmarks were repurposed; libraries became storage rooms and schools were converted into interrogation centers.
- The city's layout includes a specific area known as 'The Wall,' where public executions of dissenters take place to instill fear.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the role of Boston in Gilead?
It acts as the administrative center and a breeding ground for elite families within the Republic of Gilead. This location illustrates how the regime enforces gender roles and erases pre-Gilead history on a local scale.
Where does Offred reside in this city?
The protagonist lives under house arrest at Commander Waterford's residence, which is located within the main district of the former Massachusetts capital. This household serves as her primary location for daily surveillance and assigned duties.
How does Gilead treat the city's history?
Although officially renamed as part of an eastern province, citizens often whisper its original name in private or internal monologue. The state systematically buries the past to prevent nostalgia for American democracy from taking root among the populace.
What are some notable landmarks mentioned?
Notable sites include Jezebel's brothel, The Wall for public punishments, and the nearby Colonies where outcasts are sent to die. These locations highlight the different ways the government controls or disposes of its people based on utility.
What is the overall atmosphere like?
The environment is characterized by oppressive silence and constant surveillance, where women are reduced to their biology. It functions as a city of fear where any deviation from theocratic law leads to severe consequences.
More in World & Setting
Elsewhere in the The Handmaid universe
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