Janine's Downfall

The Handmaid's Tale

Follows Janine's trajectory from a favored Handmaid to a broken woman after giving birth to a shredder.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Janine at the Red Center Janine at the Red Center from "The Handmaid's Tale". Janine at the Red Center Testifying Janine tells the story of being gang-raped at fourteen.

Janine at the Red Center from "The Handmaid's Tale". Janine at the Red Center Testifying Janine tells the story of being gang-raped at fourteen.

Janine at the Red Center Testifying Janine tells the story of being gang-raped at fourteen. Aunt Helena leads the chant: "Her fault, her fault." Janine cries, and the other Handmaids despise her. She is a weak, squirmy creature. The Pet Aunt Lydia makes Janine an example. She kneels at the front of the class. Janine accepts the blame, saying it was her own fault. Aunt Lydia praises her. Janine becomes a pet, but the others avoid her. The Danger Janine is a danger to the other Handmaids because she will tell anything for approval. Moira warns Offred to be careful. Janine is like a kicked puppy, rolling over for anyone.

The Birth Day The Birth Day from "The Handmaid's Tale". The Birth Day The Pregnant Handmaid Janine, now Ofwarren, is heavily pregnant. She goes shopping to display herself.

The Birth Day from "The Handmaid's Tale". The Birth Day The Pregnant Handmaid Janine, now Ofwarren, is heavily pregnant. She goes shopping to display herself.

The Birth Day The Pregnant Handmaid Janine, now Ofwarren, is heavily pregnant. She goes shopping to display herself. Offred sees her at Milk and Honey, glowing and triumphant. Janine smirks at Offred's flat belly. The Birth Offred attends the Birth. Janine labors on the Birthing Stool. The baby is born, a girl, seemingly healthy. The Wives celebrate. Janine is allowed to nurse for a few months. The Aftermath Offred later learns that the baby was a shredder, a deformed child that died. Janine is transferred to a new posting. She looks thin and peaked, as if the juice has been sucked out of her.

Janine's Breakdown Janine's Breakdown from "The Handmaid's Tale". Janine's Breakdown The Prayvaganza Offred sees Janine at the Prayvaganza, paired with a new woman. Janine looks through her, no smile.

Janine's Breakdown from "The Handmaid's Tale". Janine's Breakdown The Prayvaganza Offred sees Janine at the Prayvaganza, paired with a new woman. Janine looks through her, no smile.

Janine's Breakdown The Prayvaganza Offred sees Janine at the Prayvaganza, paired with a new woman. Janine looks through her, no smile. Ofglen whispers that the baby was a shredder and that Janine thinks it's her fault for being sinful. The Particicution At the Salvaging, Janine appears with a smear of blood on her cheek, holding a clump of hair. She smiles and says, "You have a nice day." She has let go completely, in free fall. The End Offred watches Janine walk away. She feels no pity, only anger. Janine is an easy out, a withdrawal from reality. Offred knows she could end the same way.

during Offred's training

spring, during Offred's posting

after the Birth, at the Prayvaganza