Female Agency and Resistance

The various ways women resist Gilead's oppression, from passive compliance to active rebellion.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

Passive Resistance

Small Acts of Defiance The Kitchen Talk The Marthas, like Zilla, Vera, and Rosa, use coded language and gossip to share information. They protect each other and the children. They are not overtly rebellious, but they undermine the system by withholding information and showing kindness. The Wives' Schemes Wives like Paula use their knowledge to manipulate. They are not resisting the system, but they are acting for their own benefit. Even Shunammite, who is a victim, tries to use her position to gain power. The Limits Passive resistance is limited. It can protect individuals but cannot change the system. It requires a more active form of rebellion to bring down Gilead.

Active Rebellion

Taking Risks The Handmaid's Escape Nicole's mother, a Handmaid, escapes with her baby and joins Mayday. She risks her life to smuggle Nicole out. She becomes a field agent. She is a symbol of active resistance. The Aunts' Role Aunt Lydia uses her position to hide her activities. She is not alone: other Aunts, like Aunt Estée, help girls escape arranged marriages. The Aunts have agency within the system, and some use it to subvert the system. The Ultimate Sacrifice Becka's death is the most extreme form of resistance. She gives her life to enable the escape. Her act is a choice, a refusal to be a victim. She reclaims her agency by choosing her own death.

throughout the story, exemplified by the Marthas and some Wives

throughout the story, especially by Mayday and the Aunts who help