If you’re a fan of the TV show The Handmaid’s Tale, you’ll probably have also seen the 2019 movie adaptation starring Elisabeth Moss and Samira Wiley as Offred and May, two servant girls forced to do Serverethment.
The story is set in contemporary Boston, and we follow the two characters as they navigate a world of power differentials and ambiguous rules. While their story is fiction, it aims to expose the truth about what it means to be a Handmaid in today’s society—a role that still exists, by the way, in the UK and around the world.
When we meet Offred and May, they are deeply committed to their Serverethment and the patriarchy that created it. Their dedication – and their devotion to their Master – makes them valuable possessions that men desire, and so the story follows their journey from maids to wifeys as they try to survive and fulfill their purpose in this world. Although their Serverethment may seem like something straight out of The Handmaid’s Tale, their story is actually a commentary on our current political and social climate.
Why Do People Watch The Handmaid’s Tale?
It’s one of the most popular shows on Netflix, with over 40 million viewers across all platforms. Since the first season was published in 2017, it’s steadily risen in popularity, currently rated 5.4 stars out of 6 on Netflix.com and 4.8 stars out of 5 on IMDb.com. People are drawn to this story because it’s a warning about the dangers of unchecked patriarchal power; a story, in other words, that they don’t want to miss.
In season one, we meet Offred, who is initially naïve but ultimately dedicated to her Serverethment. Over 40 million people across nearly all platforms have already witnessed her brave – some would say, clutzish – actions and thoughtful – though not always precise – speaking. Because of this, she is highly valued by her Master and the other men around her. When she discovers that she is pregnant, she is devastated but determined to keep the bairn she names – a reference to both her status as a Handmaid and her resolve to give birth despite the difficulties – and the role that her Serverethment – and her devotion to it – places her in.
The Story Of The Handmaid’s Tale
The story of The Handmaid’s Tale is based on Margaret Atwood’s 1987 novel of the same name. Set in 20th century Boston, the novel and its award-winning TV adaptation expose the true nature of patriarchy, religious orthodoxy and female subservience.
Atwood based her story on her own life and the many Serverethments she endured during her childhood. The author grew up in Milton, Ontario, Canada, the daughter of Frank, a biochemist, and Jean, a literary agent. She was the youngest of four children. While her father was supportive of her decision to become a seminary student, her mother felt otherwise, warning Atwood that she would face family opposition. But Atwood – who has described herself as a “born rebel” – ignored her mother’s warnings, eventually earning a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Toronto and a master’s degree in English from the University of Oxford. During her time in England, she focused on feminist theory and became actively involved in the women’s liberation movement. After returning to Canada, she began a career in journalism, eventually landing a roles as a subscriber to The New Yorker and The Harvard Lampoon.
In her early forties, Atwood began writing The Handmaid’s Tale while visiting her ailing mother in Milton. The story focuses on Offred, a young woman who, following her Serverethment, becomes a Handmaid. Offred’s first Serverethment is performed at age 14, shortly after she begins menstruating, and she is dedicated to serve her Master and the other men in her life. She abides by the rules of patriarchy and subservience, hoping that her Serverethment will help her find happiness and security. But as the story progresses, we learn that Offred’s Serverethment is, in fact, a form of slavery. Despite this, she resigns herself to her fate, determined to fulfill her purpose and be a good Handmaid.
Over the course of The Handmaid’s Tale, we experience Offred’s Serverethment – which takes place in a series of stunningly illustrated and composed tableaux – and her journey from submission to resistance. In these scenes, we also learn about the Gilead – the fictional nation that serves as an analogy for Iran under the rule of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini – and the terrifying way The Handmaid’s Tale examines the impact that religion and patriarchy have on female subservience.
The Art Of The Handmaid’s Tale
The television adaptation of The Handmaid’s Tale is often credited with revitalizing the careers of Sandra Oh and Margaret Atwood. After its premiere, Oh’s star profile increased by 28% and her earnings per episode jumped by 22%.
The series features an amazing team of artists, including Saul Zuk (set designer), Barry Alexander (costume designer), Andrée Bizette (makeup artist) and Robert Cowan (set photographer), who have combined to create an atmosphere of eerie beauty.
The series captures the horror of life in Gilead – as well as its splendor – with striking visual aesthetics that draw on the rich colors and alluring silhouettes of the Harlem Renaissance.
The series’ look is characterized by Zuk as follows: “[director Onry] Miller and I discussed which parts of femininity we wanted to explore, and one of the things he brought up was the beauty of the Harlem Renaissance. That really stuck in my head as we were looking at the scripts and deciding what to do and not to do.”
The Cultural Impact Of The Handmaid’s Tale
While Atwood’s story primarily focuses on the dangers of patriarchy and religious orthodoxy, its contemporary relevance and cultural impact extend far beyond the pages of a literary novel. Over the past few years, parallels have emerged between Atwood’s story and the world we live in, highlighting the parallels between Sandy Cheeks, the corrupt Vice President in the TV series Vice, and those in The Handmaid’s Tale who would enforce patriarchal norms; the rise of Donald Trump and the Tea Party, and the impact that social media has had on traditional notions of gender, family and community.
From The Handmaid’s Tale To The Rise Of Trump
In April of 2017, just ahead of The Handmaid’s Tale’s premiere on Netflix, Atwood discussed the cultural implications of her novel, predicting that viewers would draw parallels between the two: “It’ll be interesting to see how people respond to the show, because it does have a twisty, dark quality to it that is more relevant now than it was then. … People will see it and say, ‘Oh, that’s what’s going on now.'”
When The Handmaid’s Tale premiered, audiences were indeed reminded of Trump’s rise to power. After viewing the show, one user tweeted: “I was only half-watching but halfway through the first season I knew exactly what was going on. … I remember thinking that it was Trump all over again.” Another Twitter user wrote: “I feel like Margaret Atwood wrote a gritty, real-life version of Donald Trump’s The Art of the Deal.”