The Salvaging and Particicution

The public execution of three women and the ritual murder of a political prisoner, revealing the regime's brutality.

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The Salvaging

The Salvaging The Procession Offred and the other Handmaids walk to the Salvaging. The bell tolls. They file onto the lawn in front of the library. A wooden stage has been erected with three posts and loops of rope. The Condemned Three women sit on the stage: two Handmaids and one Wife. They have been drugged. Aunt Lydia gives a speech. The crimes are not announced to prevent copycats. The Executions One by one, the women are hanged. Offred watches the white bags go over their heads, the stools kicked away. She hears the long sigh from the crowd. She touches the rope in front of her, showing her complicity.

The Particicution

The Particicution The Political Prisoner A man is brought forward, accused of rape. He is beaten and bruised. Aunt Lydia announces his crime. The Handmaids are told they can do what they want to him. Ofglen's Action Ofglen pushes through the crowd and kicks the man in the head, knocking him out. Offred is shocked. Later, Ofglen whispers that he was a political prisoner, not a rapist. She put him out of his misery. The Frenzy The other Handmaids tear the man apart. Offred hangs back. Janine appears with a clump of hair, smiling. Offred feels sick. She wants to scrub the smell of tar from her hands.

The Aftermath

The Aftermath The Hunger Offred feels hungry after the violence. Death makes her hungry. She wants to go to bed and make love. She thinks of the word "relish." The Normalcy Things return to normal. Offred has a cheese sandwich for lunch. She goes shopping as usual. The routine is a consolation. The New Ofglen Offred's shopping partner is replaced. The new Ofglen is cold and warns her. Offred learns that the original Ofglen hanged herself. She feels relief and guilt.

morning, late summer

after the Salvaging, same morning

after the Particicution, same day