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Original poster

The Handmaid's Tale Vol 3

574 replies

CruCru · 24/07/2017 21:18

Hi all

As the last thread has all but totally filled up, I've started this new one.

Bit shallow - but do you think the Wives are allowed cosmetics? I got the impression that make up is banned but they do all look very polished.

OP posts:
Kickhiminthenuts · 11/08/2017 07:23

I thought about Hannah and her reading too.
I wondered how kids born into the regime deal with it, more accepting?
Less capable to rage against it?

honeysucklejasmine · 11/08/2017 08:57

I suppose if you look at the children of North Korea, as accurately as we can based on propaganda, they certainly seem indoctrinated.

Kickhiminthenuts · 11/08/2017 10:34

I guess if it's the life you only know the world will suddenly seem a very small place

Buck3t · 12/08/2017 06:28

Okay I'm coming late to the party, but I wanted to RTT so I don't ask something already asked.

Handmaids take their wombs to several homes. If successful in three homes, there are 3 children with her bloodline. When the kids grow up and the process starts again, the pool of acceptable mates are limited, as incest has more chance of causing deformities, (unless you're a Dollenganger).

I'm surprised, but not surprised, that handmaids are not made to stay in one household for two kids (then get sent to the colonies).

TeaStory · 12/08/2017 06:35

Handmaids who produce at least one healthy child are never sent to the colonies. Maybe they keep records to prevent incest, though?

Also, I think Lydia said that eventually there would be enough Handmaids that they could stay with one family the whole time and "become like daughters" (eeewwwww).

Buck3t · 12/08/2017 06:53

Teastory I don't trust them. Once a handmaid passes her fertility stage what next for her? Where will she go? Can they trust she won't try to find her offspring?

I don't think the system is bedded in enough for them to know what will happen when she's shut up shop.

Original poster
CruCru · 12/08/2017 08:49

Possibly successful Handmaids who are no longer fertile then become Aunts.

OP posts:
TeaStory · 12/08/2017 08:58

That's a good point, Buck3t, I hadn't thought of that.

morningtoncrescent62 · 12/08/2017 17:25

The scene in the car, though, suggested policy was being made up on the hoof, and they weren't necessarily thinking things through to the second or third generation. It was more a case of solving problems as they arose and think about the longer-term consequences later.

ShoesHaveSouls · 12/08/2017 17:35

I was just just thinking about this thread, and the Handmaid's Tale when I was watching the footage of the Charlottesville stuff, and this came up:

www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/militia-assault-rifles-unite-the-right-rally-charlottesville-virginia-white-supremacy-latest-a7890081.html

Armed militia marching the streets of the US. It made me think of the armed men seeing the women out of their workplaces: "a different kind of army".

SophieCatScribbles · 12/08/2017 22:37

Me too. Scary stuff in the world...

Becles · 12/08/2017 23:04

Buck3t

In the novel Janine loses the plot a little although I don't recall the kidnap of the baby , but when this was recognised as a problem it's stated that as she had fulfilled her purpose by giving birth being exiled to the colonies was never an option.

TizzyDongue · 12/08/2017 23:28

I'm sure they must keep records but I don't think the first generation within such a 'union' shows up an dramatically different amount of genetic problems (such a comfort I hear you all cry) unless there's a generic issue that is already underlying that could show up anyway.

ShoesHaveSouls · 13/08/2017 00:17

In the book, Janine's baby was a 'shredder' iirc. Janine lost her mind, but was first in the book portrayed as smug and gloating, parading her heavily pregnant self around the shops.

The TV series expanded her character a lot - but it worked well.

Thegiantofillinois · 13/08/2017 21:21

If I were a wife, I wouldn't want a hm around once she'd given.birth. imagine the pain for the hm too. Suspect they only get one child each because of this.

Aridane · 13/08/2017 23:09

Sorry -'who,was,the guy who hand his hand /'lower,arm amputated?

EBearhug · 13/08/2017 23:50

Sorry -'who,was,the guy who hand his hand /'lower,arm amputated?

Warren, where Janine had been and got pregnant. He'd told Janine they'd run away together and be a proper family, which is absolutely against the rules.

Aridane · 13/08/2017 23:55

Ah, of course - thank you

Buck3t · 14/08/2017 05:18

Thegiant if you were a wife, what you want wouldn't matter. I think someone upthread mentioned a comment from AL, about one day being enough Handmaids so one stays with the same family.

Batteriesallgone · 14/08/2017 07:10

Late to this thread, had to step away from the previous one as found it too upsetting.

Can anyone clarify for me, maybe biblical justification, why Warren lost an arm? Seems an odd punishment for lust to me. I would have thought maybe an eye would be more suitable (obviously they aren't going to remove the penis of a fertile man).

Anybody else really annoyed with how sympathetic the adaptation is to the women? Serena portrayed as trapped, Lydia portrayed as kindly to Janine, it's like there's a concept women can't be true sadists like the men can?

That bit in the car where the blokes come up with the ceremony has stuck with me. Bullshit. The ceremony has a female stamp all over it. The wife present - hardly for the male enjoyment, it's so the wife can monitor that no lust is present and no inappropriate 'other' sex acts take place. No way a threesome of power hungry blokes would have thought that up, more likely a committee of wives IMO.

TeaStory · 14/08/2017 07:14

Matthew 5:30 - And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

Batteriesallgone · 14/08/2017 07:37

Oh sorry yes I know the 'if your right hand should offend you' quote but don't get why it was relevant? What has his hand got to do with shagging a handmaid and getting her to give him oral (and presumably anal, the 'freaky stuff')

TeaStory · 14/08/2017 08:03

I assumed it was a twisted way of saying, "look, we can punish people who do things we don't like because it says this in the Bible and no-one can argue with the Bible."

Batteriesallgone · 14/08/2017 08:12

I thought the punishment for lust was to do with fire - scooping hot coals into your lap and all that. Not a bible scholar though so wasn't sure if there was a relevant story re: losing a hand.

Dunno I felt like the first 4 or 5 episodes were amazing but the adaptation just seemed to get lazier as it went on Confused

Lots of in your face stuff less of the deeply thought through / several layers of analysis possible type stuff.

Buck3t · 14/08/2017 08:34

Batteries I disagree with your thoughts regarding the idea more likely to be a woman's idea. I'm probably not going to explain myself well, but I think this action, satisfies the men's egos more than anything and a little reminder about everyone's position. If anything it was 'sold' to the wives as the best way to secure fidelity. Everything being clinical and above board.

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