The Gilead Education System

The indoctrination of girls through the Vidala Schools and the Rubies Premarital Preparatory classes.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

Vidala School

Shaping the Precious Flowers The Curriculum Girls learn embroidery, religion, and obedience. They are taught that their bodies are snares. They are made to fear men. The stories are designed to instill submission. The Aunts' Authority Aunt Vidala uses fear and punishment. Aunt Estée uses gentleness. Both methods aim to produce compliant wives. The girls are ranked by their fathers' status. The Rebellion Despite the indoctrination, some girls resist. Becka and Agnes find ways to maintain their own minds. The education system is powerful, but it cannot completely erase individuality.

Rubies Premarital Preparatory

The Final Polish The Skills At Rubies, girls learn flower arranging, cookery, and how to behave as Wives. The lessons are a facade. The real purpose is to prepare them for sexual submission. The Pressure Agnes is miserable. Becka is desperate. Shunammite is eager. The class is a pressure cooker. The suicide attempt by Becka is a direct result of the system. The Escape Agnes's escape to Ardua Hall is a rejection of the entire marriage preparation system. She chooses a different path, one that offers a semblance of independence.

during Agnes's early childhood and adolescence

after Agnes leaves the Vidala School, before her planned marriage