Angel Scarves

The Angel Scarves are a recurring object in the household of the Commander and Serena Joy, representing the constrained and ritualized lives of the Wives in Gilead. Knitted by Serena Joy and other Wives, these scarves are ostensibly sent to the Angels at the front lines, but their true purpose is more complex: they function as a form of busywork, a propaganda tool, and a window into the psychological state of the women who make them.

Production and Purpose

Serena Joy knits the scarves in the sitting room, a space that is both her domain and her prison. The scarves are elaborate, featuring patterns like fir trees, eagles, and stiff humanoid figures of boys and girls, which are more suited for children than for grown soldiers. The narrator, Offred, speculates that the scarves may not even be sent to the Angels but are instead unraveled and re-knitted, suggesting that the activity is a meaningless cycle designed to keep the Wives occupied and give them a sense of purpose. This interpretation is reinforced by Offred's observation that the scarves are "too elaborate" for the Angels, who are fighting a war, and that the Wives' knitting is "just something to keep the Wives busy." The act of knitting thus becomes a symbol of the regime's control over women's time and energy, channeling their potential into harmless, repetitive tasks.

Symbolism and Thematic Significance

The scarves are a stark contrast to the Handmaids' red dresses, which signify their role as vessels for reproduction. While the Handmaids' bodies are directly exploited, the Wives' labor is co-opted into a performance of piety and domesticity. Offred envies Serena Joy her knitting, seeing it as a way to have "small goals that can be easily attained," a luxury she herself lacks. This envy highlights the stratified nature of Gilead's female hierarchy, where even the oppressors are themselves oppressed. The scarves also serve as a tool for Serena Joy to maintain her status and influence, as they are a visible sign of her adherence to the regime's values. However, Offred also notes the "stench of her knitting," suggesting that the activity is not a source of genuine fulfillment but a cover for deeper resentment and unhappiness.

Connection to Serena Joy's Character

The scarves are intimately tied to Serena Joy's character arc. Once a famous singer and speaker for the "sanctity of the home," she is now reduced to a speechless, bitter woman who knits endlessly. The scarves are a remnant of her former glory, a way to cling to a sense of purpose in a world that has rendered her obsolete. Offred observes that Serena Joy's knitting is a form of "procreation," a substitute for the children she cannot have. This connection is made explicit when Offred notes that the scarves are "not scarves for grown men but for children," suggesting that Serena Joy is unconsciously creating the family she was denied. The scarves thus become a symbol of her loss and her complicity in a system that has failed her.

The Scarves as a Tool of Control

The production of the scarves is also a form of social control. The Wives are expected to knit for the Angels, and their output is a measure of their piety and loyalty. Offred notes that the scarves are "sent to the Angels at the front lines," but she doubts they are ever used. This doubt underscores the performative nature of the activity: it is not about providing comfort to soldiers but about demonstrating the Wives' submission to the regime. The scarves are a way for the Wives to participate in the war effort without any real agency, a safe outlet for their energies that poses no threat to the patriarchal order.