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The Ceremony from "The Handmaid's Tale". The Ceremony takes place in Serena Joy's bedroom, where Offred lies between Serena's legs while the Commander has sex with her.

early in the story

The Ceremony

The Ceremony takes place in Serena Joy's bedroom, where Offred lies between Serena's legs while the Commander has sex with her. Serena holds Offred's hands, symbolizing their unity in the procreative act. Offred feels detached, describing the act as a duty rather than a sexual encounter. The Commander performs mechanically, and Serena releases Offred afterward with disgust. The Ceremony is a dehumanizing ritual that underscores the regime's control over women's bodies and the complex power dynamics within the household.