Serena Joy's Transformation

The Handmaid's Tale

The decline of Serena Joy from a television personality to a bitter, powerless wife.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The Former Serena Joy The Former Serena Joy from "The Handmaid's Tale". The Former Serena Joy The Singer Offred remembers Serena Joy as a singer on the Growing Souls Gospel Hour. She was ash blond, petite, with huge blue eyes.

The Former Serena Joy from "The Handmaid's Tale". The Former Serena Joy The Singer Offred remembers Serena Joy as a singer on the Growing Souls Gospel Hour. She was ash blond, petite, with huge blue eyes.

The Former Serena Joy The Singer Offred remembers Serena Joy as a singer on the Growing Souls Gospel Hour. She was ash blond, petite, with huge blue eyes. She could smile and cry at the same time. The Speaker Later, Serena Joy made speeches about the sanctity of the home. She didn't stay home herself. She was a hypocrite, but earnest. The Assassination Attempt Someone tried to shoot her; her secretary was killed. A bomb was planted in her car. She was a controversial figure.

The Bitter Wife The Bitter Wife from "The Handmaid's Tale". The Bitter Wife The Garden Serena Joy spends her time in the garden, knitting scarves for the Angels. She is crippled by arthritis.

The Bitter Wife from "The Handmaid's Tale". The Bitter Wife The Garden Serena Joy spends her time in the garden, knitting scarves for the Angels. She is crippled by arthritis.

The Bitter Wife The Garden Serena Joy spends her time in the garden, knitting scarves for the Angels. She is crippled by arthritis. She no longer makes speeches. The Hatred Serena hates Offred but needs her. She is jealous and resentful. She tries to control Offred's body and fate. The Collusion Serena plots with Offred to get her pregnant by Nick. She wants a baby at any cost. Her desperation shows her powerlessness.

The Betrayal The Betrayal from "The Handmaid's Tale". The Betrayal The Discovery Serena finds the feather costume and lipstick. She confronts Offred, calling her a slut.

The Betrayal from "The Handmaid's Tale". The Betrayal The Discovery Serena finds the feather costume and lipstick. She confronts Offred, calling her a slut.

The Betrayal The Discovery Serena finds the feather costume and lipstick. She confronts Offred, calling her a slut. She realizes Offred has been with the Commander behind her back. The Punishment Serena sends Offred to her room. She may have called the Eyes. Offred is taken away. Serena's plot has failed. The Aftermath Serena is left with nothing. Her husband may be purged. She will never have a child. Her life is a ruin.

before Gilead, recalled by Offred

during the narrative present

near the ending