The Previous Handmaid's Legacy

The Handmaid's Tale

Uncovers the story of the Handmaid who occupied Offred's room before her, her message on the wall, and her suicide.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Discovery of the Message Discovery of the Message from "The Handmaid's Tale". Discovery of the Message Exploring the Room Offred explores her room slowly, dividing it into sections. She examines the mattress, the cupboard.

Discovery of the Message from "The Handmaid's Tale". Discovery of the Message Exploring the Room Offred explores her room slowly, dividing it into sections. She examines the mattress, the cupboard.

Discovery of the Message Exploring the Room Offred explores her room slowly, dividing it into sections. She examines the mattress, the cupboard. In the corner of the cupboard, she finds tiny writing: "Nolite te bastardes carborundorum." The Unknown Woman Offred doesn't know what it means, but it is a message, forbidden. She imagines the woman who wrote it: about her age, with freckles, like Moira. She feels a connection to this unknown predecessor. The Question to Rita Offred asks Rita about the previous occupant. Rita says she didn't work out. Offred learns there have been more than one. The message gives her a small joy, a sense of communion.

The Meaning Revealed The Meaning Revealed from "The Handmaid's Tale". The Meaning Revealed The Latin Joke Offred asks the Commander about the phrase. He laughs and shows her a Latin textbook with the same scrawl.

The Meaning Revealed from "The Handmaid's Tale". The Meaning Revealed The Latin Joke Offred asks the Commander about the phrase. He laughs and shows her a Latin textbook with the same scrawl.

The Meaning Revealed The Latin Joke Offred asks the Commander about the phrase. He laughs and shows her a Latin textbook with the same scrawl. It means "Don't let the bastards grind you down." It is a schoolboy joke. The Previous Handmaid's Fate Offred asks what happened to her. The Commander says she hanged herself. Serena found out about their relationship. Offred realizes she learned the phrase in this room, with him. The Warning Offred understands the danger. She is not the first. The previous Handmaid's suicide is a warning and a legacy. Offred considers the hook in the closet, the chandelier. She knows she could end the same way.

The Ghost in the Room The Ghost in the Room from "The Handmaid's Tale". The Ghost in the Room The Presence Offred often feels the presence of the previous Handmaid.

The Ghost in the Room from "The Handmaid's Tale". The Ghost in the Room The Presence Offred often feels the presence of the previous Handmaid.

The Ghost in the Room The Presence Offred often feels the presence of the previous Handmaid. She imagines her swinging from the chandelier, a bird stopped in flight. The woman is her double, her ancestress. The Message as Prayer Offred repeats the phrase to herself. It is less a prayer than a command, but useless. There is no way out. She traces the scratched writing with her fingers in the dark. The Legacy The previous Handmaid's story is a reminder of the cost of transgression. Offred inherits her room, her fate, her message. She must decide whether to follow the same path or find another way.

three days after Offred's arrival

during a Scrabble game with the Commander

throughout Offred's stay, especially at night