The Handmaids Tale is a television show based on a book by the same name told from the perspective of one of the handmaids Offred originally known as June in a dystopian future were society has digressed and women no longer have a say in how the country is run. Although the story does seem to focus a lot on religion it has just a strongly  centers around reproduction and the inability to conceive.

From the very beginning we are introduced to this idea that in this society the ability to have children is rare that the main objective of a handmaid is to provide to children for the powerful in society. More than that we are introduced to a society were the inability to provide children is fully put on the women and rather then the viewing the capturing and enslavement of these once free women as unjust they are forced to believe that it is a privilege. This is seen around 17:43 were June is having a flashback to when she was put in a school to properly learn how to be a handmaid. Throughout this scene Aunt Lydia is telling all the women captured why women are now unable to have children by describing how they had become dirty and no longer pure

Within in this society it’s easy to see how women no longer have a voice and that the only real power any of them have is the ability to reproduce but even then this power is still constantly checked to the point were even if you are capable conceiving it doesn’t guarantee you safety. Around the start of minute 19  we see Janine speak out against the ideas being told to her by aunt Lydia and rather being safe is shocked in the neck as both a demonstration to the rest of the women their but also to prove a point that  just because you can conceive doesn’t mean you’re safe.

Further into the show in 41:21 the handmaids are brought into a ritual and when they get there June talks to Alma about there commanders. In this seen Alma talks about her commanders inability to conceive and even though this might be true the blame will still fully be on her for inability to provide a child. The first episode really shows the levels to which toxic masculinity can truly wreck among a society and the levels to which they go to hide this fact all together. The people at the top of this society might put religion as the center focus of there society but is only done so to mask there true nature as well as to gain full power be cause what better way then to use ones faith against one another, a faith that helps to the oppressors of this society at the top without question.

The Handmaid’s Tale is a post apocalyptic story that focuses on a society where women are oppressed and some are forced to be “Handmaid’s”, women who are forced to give birth for men whether they want to or not.  The reason this society developed is because a plague had resulted in infertility in many women becoming infertile. One woman who is still able to give birth is named Offred and the story focuses a lot on her flashbacks and her current experiences.  From each of them it appears that the society seems to be regressing from equality and progressing towards totalitarianism.

The most obvious difference from the past and present is women’s rights, as Offred’s thoughts and feelings clearly show the difference.  The biggest difference can be seen in Offred’s flashback where Offred is meeting with her friend Moira before the society developed (48:30).  Their dialogue together shows that Offred is clearly with a man she likes yet in the present time she is living as a surrogate mother for a man referred to as “Commander Waterford.” (6:30) and walks around depressed all the time, which is unlike the attitude she showed with her friend.  From this we can not only conclude happiness is not a value of this society but also that women capable of giving birth aren’t allowed to live an independent life, as they are forced into servitude. Other signs of women’s limited rights are the fact that they wear different clothes compared to the past (48:30), can’t go on walks outside without another Handmaid to spy on them (12:17), and are seemingly forbidden from even doing an activity as simple as reading (14:30).

Another step back from equality is gay rights.  The first sign we see implying that homosexuality is looked down upon is when the hanging bodies are shown.  Ofglen, Offred’s Handmaid partner, notes that one of the three bodies is a gay man (15:42). What shows that this is a regression from the past is Offred’s flashback at, where she’s once again with her friend Moira who is able to laugh and spend time with her girlfriend (16:40).  Later on, Moira confirms that “dyke purges” are an event in the present and that Odette, who is possibly Moira’s girlfriend, was classified as an Unwoman and sent to work in The Colonies (20:10). Ofglen also states she had a wife around which furthers the idea that the world was far more equal in the past than now (51:25).  Considering the society has an excessive fixation on babies and giving birth, it’s understandable why they see gay people as incapable of fitting in (17:45).

The last sign that the society descended from equality is its lack of freedom of religion.  Around the hanging bodies scene, Ofglen also stated that one of them was a priest (15:42). Although the episode never specifically stated what religion the priest was or what the society follows despite their frequent use of phrases involving God (39:20), it’s likely that the priest was part of a religion that believed in chastity.  A vow of chastity would clearly go against the society’s value of childbirth, therefore it’s likely they weren’t seen as helpful to fulfilling the society’s goals. A scene from the past suggests that not everyone believes in religion based on Moira’s comment “Let’s go to Church” before she and Offred laugh over it (16:40). Therefore, it seems like the society in the future forces people to follow certain religious beliefs while also not allowing them to embrace the religion too deeply or else they turn out like the priest.

Although it’s only one episode, the flashbacks and present experiences of Offred seem to imply that the world used to be more freedom and equal rights before progressively becoming a totalitarian government.  Whether it’s gender, sexual preference, or religion, this society only allows people to follow their rules, and if they don’t fit in, they will be punished in some way. As our world seems to permit individuality and diversity among people, The Handmaid’s Tale could be seen as a path we might end up following if the fertility rates are lowered to the point of threatening humanity’s continues existence.

In The Handmaid’s Tale, things have changed drastically from our world. Parts of Earth are littered with toxic waste and poison produced by humans. These areas become what is known as The Colonies, while the health parts of the Earth become known as Gilead. Gilead is a totalitarian society ruled by fundamental regime that strips women of all freedom and rights, subjecting them as properties instead of humans with emotions. In all, it is a totally and utterly a disaster of a dystopian universe.

When watching the first episode of season one of this series, I am horrified by the cruelness and brutality taking place. According to Offred’s words, “So many things are forbidden now,” and in truth, it is (5:46). Handmaids, women for the purpose of creating offspring, are limited to many things, such as space, time, reading, buying, and even their names. Offred is use to be known as June, but she is not allowed to be known by their original name. A name is an identity, it sums up who one is. Giving someone a second name and forbidding he or she access to their original is the same as forcing them to become someone else. This obliteration of identity is also seen with the standard appearance of the handmaids, for they all wear a white cap and dress in red. These red robes covers their entire body and the white caps, to some extent, obstruct the face of the handmaids, like the barren wife, Serena Joy said, “I want to see as little of you as possible” (7:34). These handmaids are not seen as humans, but sex dolls with a face. It is sickening seeing the Ceremony in which the husband have to have sex with the handmaid while having the barren wife witness the whole thing. The blankness on their face and just plain torture.

Furthermore, the Red Center where handmaids are sent to to be educated about sexual servitude, is beyond words. Violence is served to all of the disobedient, such as a character known as Janine has her right eye gorge out for rebellious spirit in her eyes. Furthermore, on top of losing an eye, she is also forced to serve many men for many hours as well. However, the worse is the mental attacks that she suffers. The rest of the handmaids are forced to point and shame her for all the things she has been through, as though it is truly her fault and that she deserves it, when in truth, that is not true at all (21:56, 27:50). The world is crazy, enough to drive many people insane, and maybe it is more of a blessing to be insane than live in an insane world.

On top of that, there is an eerie similarity between this and the book 1984 by George Orwell. While 1984 has “Big Brother is watching you,” The Handmaid’s Tale has “Under His eye” (10:28). There is both surveillance and lack of privacy in both texts. There is an utmost power, control of the people with eyes and people with guns everywhere. Furthermore, both the novel and the tv series, there is an opposite and twist to many slogans and words. For example, the sexual intercourse between a handmaid and a male servant is define as “rape” and the forced sex is seen more as a divine duty. The handmaids, used as sex dolls, are known to be “good women” while the others on the run from the totalitarian rule is known as “whores” and “sluts.” It is ironic and sarcastic, sickening to the core.

A Handmaid’s Tale is a dystopian science fiction web television series created by Bruce Miller. It is based off a 1985 novel written by Margaret Atwood. In the first episode titled “Offred,” The main character named June and her family get captured by a group of armed men. June and her daughter are then sent into a heavily protected town that enforces it’s polices and values by any means necessary. Throughout this episode, religion is shown to be an important part of the town’s society and the status of freedom and privacy is put into question.

Religion appears to be the main focal point of the town. Although it is never stated, religion is heavily implied and enforced to all who live in the area. First, women and children wear clothing that appear to be inspired from the colonial times, a religious period. This includes the maidservant outfit and the red dress with a cotton coif. Second, when speaking to others, women state phrases that most likely have religious connotations, including, “praise be,” “under his eye” and “may the lord open” among others. Lastly, people who are doctors, priests and homosexual are hanged for their personal choice and/or profession (15:40). This is obviously inspired by real religion because history has shown that religious groups tend to disapprove of all these parties, especially homosexuals.

Freedom is very minimal in this episode. Outsiders are not given a choice in becoming a resident of the town because they are either shot in sight or taken in forcefully. For example, June was knocked out unconscious in the beginning of the story, leaving her daughter to be easily snatched away (03:58). Once inside the town which is filled with armed men at every corner, outsiders are then given new names and are forced to learn the town’s values and speech patterns. If one refuses to obey their teachings, they would be dealt a harsh punishment. Janine In particular was mentally and physically tortured by having her eye ripped off (21:30). All Outsiders are later forced to wear the same clothing and follow a strict schedule and set of rules, effectively removing any individuality.

In addition to freedom and religion, privacy is an important and heavily controlled aspect of the town. As previously stated, the town is filled with armed men who watch for any suspicious activities. In most shots of the town, one can notice at least one guard. However, in terms of privacy, June is more concerned about her peers revealing incriminating information than about the guards watching her. She states, “[t]here are no friends here, can’t be. The truth is we’re watching each other. She’s my spy (12:20).” This is emphasized by the fact that all women speak to each other cautiously, obviously thinking before speaking. When one says something that goes against the towns values, they become scared (14:27) or show a rebellious Attitude (51:00). Another example of privacy being at risk is at the end of the episode, where one of Junes peers tells her that, “[t]here’s an eye in your house” (52:50). This means that someone is secretly watching her and relaying information about her activities to a higher power.

The Handmaid’s Tale is based on totalitarian society. In this society, women that are fertile are being used to serve the Leaders of the Faithful. In this sense, these women will offer their services to these men and provide them with children. These ‘Leaders of the Faithful’  seem to be a large group of men that use the bible as their reasons for controlling their society.

In the beginning, we are introduced to a couple and their child. They are trying to escape the authorities. They eventually are captured. The man is shot, the woman and child are separated and taken away in separate vehicles. In the next scene, we are brought to a women sitting in the window light. At (05:10), she says something that is a bit strange. “A Handmaid wouldn’t get far. It’s those other escapes. The ones you can open in yourself given a cutting edge. Or a twisted sheet and a chandelier”. When I heard this, I was in shock. I was thinking about what things these ‘handmaids’ go through to think about suicide. Why would they need a shattered proof window? Was it because their lives were that miserable that they would resort to cutting themselves?

We learn that this mysterious woman’s name is Offred. She has another name but it is forbidden as many things are forbidden in this new world. She is under the command of Mr. and Mrs. Waterford. Mr. Waterford one of the commanders of the Leaders of the Faithful. We also introduced to the ‘Marthas’. The role of the ‘Marthas’ is different from the ‘handmaids’. They provide other services like cooking and cleaning. Offred is met with another ‘handmaid’ named Ofglen. They walk to the grocery store together. At (13:22), we have a flashback of Offred and her family together at the beach. She is happy and smiling but is then pulled back to reality with a grim look on her face.

At (14:53), Offred says something that is offputting. She wants to scream and grab the nearest machine gun. She either wants to end her life or she wants to murder everyone in the store. At (15:46), Offred and Ofglen find three bodies hanging, a priest, a doctor, and a gay man. Maybe in this totalitarian society, they do not approve of Catholicism, abortion, and homosexuality. At (19:33), it is disturbing that they think that what they are doing is ordinary. The idea behind using women as only surrogates is a disgraceful act and should not be defined as ordinary.

At (30:20), Mr. Waterford is reciting a verse from the bible and is committing a sexual act against Offred. So basically, the bible verse is about Rachael wanting to have children. Since she is unable to have children, Rachael offers her maid, Bilhah, to her husband Jacob. In the same scene, the acts that were said in the bible verse are being done between Mr. Waterford, Offred, and Mr. Waterford. When watching this scene, I was just had a bad feeling. I was thinking about how this is wrong and that it is immoral. Also, Mrs. Waterford did not like this at all. She seemed to be both angry and sad that she could not bear children herself.

At (44:04), all of the handmaids are gathered to watch the persecution of a man that has been convicted of rape. It turns out that the penalty for rape is death. I find this to be very hypocritical. How is it okay for Mr. Waterford to rape Offred but it is unholy for a regular man to rape a pregnant woman? I understand that both actions are wrong and immoral. Is it because that is society’s law? I find it odd that a high-ranking couple is allowed to commit such a cruel act upon an innocent woman just because of the Bible. It does not make sense to me. So then the group of handmaids form a circle and surround the man who has committed rape. He is then beaten and brutalized for his actions. It is barbaric to watch a group of innocent women turn into vicious murderers.

The first episode of “The Handmaid’s Tale” was a great representation of a totalitarian society. It is an eye-opener. I realized that how similar our reality was in comparison to this possible reality. In one of the scenes, one of the characters is being ridiculed for being raped. And they blame her for it and say that is was God teaching her a lesson. It is relevant in our time because women are speaking about against their sexual offenders and are being ridiculed by others. With this episode in the books, I have one question. What happens when the handmaid has a miscarriage? Are they punished or do they try again?