Frequently Asked Questions
The most-asked questions about The Handmaid.
What is The Handmaid?
The Handmaid refers to both Margaret Atwood's 1985 dystopian novel and its acclaimed television adaptation, which depicts a totalitarian society where fertile women are forced into servitude as reproductive vessels. It serves as a cautionary tale about the erosion of civil liberties and the oppression of women under religious extremism.
Who is the main character?
The story centers on Offred, a handmaid whose real name remains unknown to most characters, as she navigates survival in the Republic of Gilead. Her internal monologue drives the narrative, revealing her memories of life before the regime and her current desperate circumstances.
Where should I start if I am new?
Newcomers can begin with either the original book or the first season of the Hulu series, as both provide a complete introduction to the world-building and central conflict. Reading the novel first offers deeper insight into the protagonist's psyche, while watching the show provides immediate visual context for the setting.
What is Gilead?
Gilead is the fictional totalitarian state that replaces the United States after a coup driven by religious fundamentalism and declining birth rates. In this regime, strict social hierarchies are enforced based on gender and fertility status, stripping women of their rights and identities.
Who are the Commanders?
Commanders are high-ranking male leaders in Gilead who govern households and hold political power within the new state order. They are permitted to have wives for domestic purposes but must take handmaids if they cannot produce heirs naturally.
What is a Handmaid's role?
Handmaids are fertile women stripped of their names, money, and freedom to be assigned to Commanders solely for the purpose of bearing children through ritualized rape. They wear distinctive red robes and veils to symbolize their status as living property of the state.
Who is Serena Joy?
Serena Joy is a former televangelist and author who helped design Gilead's ideology but now suffers under its restrictive rules as a Commander's wife unable to conceive. Her complex relationship with Offred involves both manipulation and shared desperation for a child.
What are the Eyes?
The Eyes represent the secret police force of Gilead, tasked with spying on citizens, enforcing laws, and eliminating dissent through surveillance and execution. Their presence creates an atmosphere of constant paranoia where neighbors might report one another to avoid punishment.
Is there a sequel or continuation?
Margaret Atwood wrote a sequel titled The Testaments, which explores the fall of Gilead from multiple perspectives decades after Offred's story concludes. This narrative was also adapted into a third season for the television series, expanding on the original plotlines.
What is the most famous quote?
The phrase 'Nolite te bastardes carborundorum' is a pivotal Latin motto meaning 'Don't let the bastards grind you down,' which serves as a secret message of resistance between characters. It symbolizes the enduring human spirit and hope for freedom amidst total oppression.