Horrifying Moments From The Handmaid's Tale | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Horrifying Moments From The Handmaid's Tale

330
Horrifying Moments From The Handmaid's Tale
New York Times

For those of you who aren't fans of the Hulu original series, you're missing out. Margaret Atwood's 1985 novel is set in a totalitarian society named Gilead in what used to be the United States. Gilead is ruled by a regime that basically treats women like property of the state and nothing more. After a series of environmental disasters and a plummeting birth rate, Gilead forces fertile women into sexual servitude, forcing them to carry and birth children for the Commanders and their infertile wives. As a woman, it can be pretty hard to watch these women being beaten, mistreated, and raped all in some twisted form of bastardized religion. There are certain moments that were harder to watch than others.


1. When Janine loses her eye.

Unfortunately, Janine made an example of herself when we first met her. "If my right eye offends thee, pluck it out."



2. When Ambassador Castillo turns a blind eye.


Offred aka June reveals to the Mexican ambassador what has truly been going on and the hell that the Handmaids are put through. We all hope and pray that as a woman in a position of authority, Ambassador Castillo would help put a stop to the rape, torture, and depravity going on in Gilead. Instead, she comments about how there hadn't been a healthy baby born in six years, our hearts sink as we realize she believes in what is going on in Gilead. The betrayal stings a little bit more because she's a woman.


3. Ofglen's sexual mutilation.


Emily was a professor before Gilead came into existence. Emily was accused of "gender treachery" after having a sexual relationship with another woman. Her punishment was not only being forced to watch her partner die from hanging, but she woke in a white room with her pelvis covered in bandages. Aunt Lydia tells her "you won't want what you can't have", basically implying that her clitoris has been removed. Aunt Lydia added that while she could still bear children, things would be "easier" for her.


4. Learning about Serena Joy's past.

babygaga

When we meet Commander Waterford's wife, Serena, we see a cold-hearted...bitch for lack of a better word. One of the best parts of The Handmaid's Tale is the fact that we get to take a peek at the past lives of those living in Gilead. When given a glimpse of Mrs.Waterford's life, we see something pretty shocking. Serena was a champion for women's rights, even coining the term "never mistake a woman's meekness for weakness" and wrote a book entitled A Woman's Place. What the hell, Serena? How'd we get here?


5. The gallows in Fenway Park.


The opening episode of season two will send shivers down your spine, and if it's any kind of clue as to what we'll see during the rest of the season...woah. After refusing to stone Janine to death, the Handmaids know they'll face some sort of punishment. We watch as the Handmaids are herded like cattle into a dark, deserted Fenway Park. To our shock and horror, we see a long row of nooses set up in the outfield, we watch as terrified Handmaids are lined up to be executed. Right before what we thought was their last breath, Aunt Lydia reveals she's teaching them a "lesson" after they were disobedient.


I wonder what horrifiying moments we have waiting for us in the rest of season 2?

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

191234
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

15442
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

458266
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

26834
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments