Under his eye: all terms from ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ in a row

Yoo people, blessed be the fruit! We’ve been sent good weather today, right? Praise be. Yes, it is serious with the The Handmaid’s madness here at the office (you know, that series on Videoland). Haven't seen it yet? Shame on you. It is the best – and sickest – series I have seen in ages. And especially for everyone who doesn't understand a thing or has become addicted to the adventures of Offred: a special Handmaid’s dictionary at your service. I would say: sit down for a moment.

Step 1: the basics

The story of The Handmaid’s Tale takes place in the near future, where America has turned into a kind of bizarre dictatorship (or actually theocracy). Men are in charge. Due to environmental pollution, most women have become infertile, and the few who still have effective ovaries are kept as breeding machines. Monthly, they are raped by their masters with the noble goal of preserving the species. You follow handmaid Offred, who lives in Gilead.

Step 2: in Gilead you can be assigned different roles...

Handmaids: a group of fertile women who are assigned to a commander and his wife for two years to help the couple become pregnant. Most handmaids (like Offred) have been torn away from their own families. The handmaids are assigned to a maximum of three houses and are sent to the colonies (more on that later) if they fail to become pregnant in one of the houses.

Commanders
The highest men in the Gilead army and also the only men who are assigned handmaids to become pregnant.

Wives
The wives of the commanders. They are infertile and must watch once a month as their husband has sex with their fertile handmaid. You understand: the atmosphere is not really getting any friendlier.

Aunts
A role often filled by the older women in Gilead, who truly support the totalitarian rules of Gilead. The aunts are responsible for training the handmaids and for their pregnancies. The aunts are quite strict and do not hesitate to apply medieval corporal punishment here and there if there is disobedience.

Eyes
The ‘Eyes’ are secret police officers who work for the Republic of Gilead. They monitor their own commanders and are tasked with identifying traitors. Eyes drive black vans and also have the power to arrest in public.

Martha’s
Women who are infertile and work as cooks or servants in a commander's house. They also provide food for the handmaids.

Jezebels
Prostitutes who work for a government-controlled club frequented by foreign ambassadors and commanders, which is quite funny, considering sexual abstinence is the law. But as in every country: corruption reigns here too. If you have power, you can do anything. Moira becomes a Jezebel after she is caught following her escape from Handmaid training. Jezebels are allowed to use drugs and alcohol.

Guardians of the Faith
Young men who do not hold a high position on the power ladder in Gilead.

Some (like Nick) are responsible for washing cars and driving commanders, while others maintain order on the streets and carry machine guns.

Econowives

Women from the working class who are married to men who do not become commanders during the Gilead regime. These households are not assigned Marthas, and the econowives must do everything in the household and especially obey their husbands.

Unwoman

You can quickly become one in Gilead. For example, if you are infertile. Or not married. A widow. A feminist. Lesbian. A nun. Anyone who has doubts about the rules of Gilead. Unwomen are usually sent to the colonies, more on that later.

Keepers
Healthy babies born from the pregnancies of the handmaids.

Unbaby
A baby that is born deformed and will likely not survive in Gilead. They are also known as Shredder.

Step 3: The Handmaid’s language

Blessed be the fruit
The handmaids greet each other with this phrase; it is supposed to promote fertility.

May the lord open
This is how you politely respond to the above phrase. Preferably with a nod downwards.

Under his eye
This is how handmaids formally say goodbye to each other. The expression means that someone – a guard, a commander, a Martha, or God – is always watching.

Step 4: terms you often hear

Gilead
What is left of the United States after a drastic formation of a military dictatorship. Within a few years, Gilead was formed, and once you are a resident, you cannot just leave.

Ceremony
The monthly ritual where the handmaid is at her most fertile and is invited to her commander's bedroom to have sex with him (while lying between the legs of his wife who holds her wrists) in the hope of becoming pregnant. Sick stuff there.

Gender traitor
Gays and lesbians living in Gilead are seen as ‘gender traitors’ and are sent to the colonies (where they will ultimately die from radioactive poison) or hanged.

Colonies

Toxic areas cleaned by anyone who does not comply with the rules of Gilead. You do not want to be found there, because it is hard work and sooner or later everyone dies from the poison. Also very pleasant all.

So, now you are completely ready for that binge marathon. Under his eye!

Xxxxx

OffKiekster.