The Commander and Serena's Marital Conflict

The Handmaid's Tale

The strained marriage between the Commander and Serena Joy, marked by power struggles and emotional distance.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The Cold Marriage The Cold Marriage from "The Handmaid's Tale". The Cold Marriage The Separate Lives The Commander and Serena live separate lives. He stays in his study; she gardens and knits. They rarely speak.

The Cold Marriage from "The Handmaid's Tale". The Cold Marriage The Separate Lives The Commander and Serena live separate lives. He stays in his study; she gardens and knits. They rarely speak.

The Cold Marriage The Separate Lives The Commander and Serena live separate lives. He stays in his study; she gardens and knits. They rarely speak. The Ceremony During the Ceremony, Serena cries. The Commander ignores her. The tension is palpable. They are united only in their need for a child. The Power Imbalance Serena has authority over the household, but the Commander has ultimate power. She resents his affairs. He resents her coldness.

The Affair Discovered The Affair Discovered from "The Handmaid's Tale". The Affair Discovered The Confrontation Serena finds evidence of the Commander's affair with Offred. She confronts him. They have a fight. He is helpless.

The Affair Discovered from "The Handmaid's Tale". The Affair Discovered The Confrontation Serena finds evidence of the Commander's affair with Offred. She confronts him. They have a fight. He is helpless.

The Affair Discovered The Confrontation Serena finds evidence of the Commander's affair with Offred. She confronts him. They have a fight. He is helpless. The Betrayal Serena feels betrayed by both the Commander and Offred. She had trusted Offred. The marriage is further damaged. The Aftermath The Commander is purged. Serena is left alone. Their conflict ends in mutual destruction.

throughout the narrative

near the ending