THE HANDMAID’S TALE SYNOPSIS The Handmaid’s Tale contains scenes of violence, misogyny, and sexual assault. In order to help you best prepare for the opera, please note that this study guide describes plot details and events and discusses subject matter that may be sensitive to some.
ACT I After a series of disasters causes environmental ruin and widespread infertility, the United States has been taken over by an extremist Christian sect and reborn as the Republic of Gilead, where women have been returned to their “rightful” place in society. They are prohibited from holding property or working and are divided into a strict class system: Aunts are in charge of re-education and the enforcement of social codes, Marthas work as cooks and housekeepers, Wives are the property of elite men, and Handmaids are women designated to bear the children of the leaders of Gilead. We meet a narrator in the Red Center, who describes her life as a Handmaid. Her friend, Moira, is punished severely for a minor infraction and later manages to escape.
Flag of the Republic of Gilead
The narrator is given to a high-ranking Commander, receiving a new name—Offred. She meets the Commander’s Wife, Serena Joy, whom she recognizes as a gospel singer from the Time Before. The household also includes a Martha named Rita as well as Nick, the Commander’s chauffeur. Offred is paired with another Handmaid named Ofglen whenever she leaves the house to complete errands. All are constantly monitored by the Eyes, Gilead’s secret police force. Offred’s memories of the Time Before—her husband, her daughter, and their violent separation— haunt her.
Ofglen tells Offred that Warren’s baby was deformed and is considered an Unbaby—so it’s life was ended. They pray for Ofwarren, but confess that neither is a true believer. Ofglen revels she is a member of the resistance—Mayday.
Offred discovers a message in her wardrobe left by an earlier Handmaid, “Nolite te bastardes carborundorum.” During one of her frequent fertility checks, the Doctor privately offers to impregnate her suggesting that her Commander is likely infertile. That night, the household gathers for the monthly ceremony, which includes prayer, reading from the Bible, and ritualized rape. Offred steals one of Serena Joy’s cigarettes on the way out. Later, Nick tells Offred that the Commander wants to see her secretly the following evening.
ACT II Ofglen urges Offred to spy on the Commander. Serena Joy asks Offred to sleep with Nick in order to get pregnant. She offers Offred a bribe—a photo of her daughter. Overwhelmed to learn that her daughter is alive, Offred agrees.
Offred and Ofglen go to Commander Warren’s house. Ofwarren is in labor. Amidst praying and chanting, the baby is born. Warren’s Wife names her baby Angela. Later, Offred meets with her Commander in his study. Women are forbidden to read or write. The Commander challenges her to a game of Scrabble. Their visits continue, and he gives her contraband—a magazine to read. More flashbacks reveal details about the Time Before, including her friendship with Moira.
Offred thinks of her husband Luke and their daughter, and remembers their desperate attempt to flee Gilead. Later, during one of their private meetings, Offred asks the Commander to translate the Latin message. He tells her it is a joke: Don’t let the bastards grind you down.
One night, the Commander gives Offred clothes and sneaks her out. They arrive at Jezebel’s, a private club for high-ranking men. Offred spots Moira across the room. They meet in the bathroom and embrace. After she escaped the Red Center, Moira was caught and given a choice: working in the Colonies, or a sex slave at Jezebel’s. She chose the latter. Offred returns to the Commander. Back at the house, Serena Joy shows Offred a picture of her daughter, then brings her to Nick. They pretend nothing is wrong and make love. Her affair with Nick continues and she opens up to him. 11
