Computalk

The Computalk is a communication device within the Republic of Gilead, used by the Aunts and Commanders to issue orders, coordinate operations, and maintain the regime's tight control over its citizens. It appears in several critical moments of the narrative, functioning as a tool of authority and a symbol of the regime's reliance on technology for surveillance and command.

Appearance and Function

The Computalk is a handheld or desktop device that allows for voice communication, similar to a two-way radio or a primitive smartphone. It is used by the Aunts at Ardua Hall to relay instructions, such as when Aunt Lydia receives a summons to Commander Judd's office via an internal hotline with a red telephone. The device is also used in emergencies, as when an Aunt barks into her Computalk during the birth of Baby Mark, demanding immediate medical assistance: "Right now! As fast as you can! Her pressure's way down! She's losing too much blood!" This moment highlights the Computalk's role in coordinating urgent responses, though the outcome—the death of the Handmaid Ofkyle—underscores the limits of even such technology in a regime that prioritizes the baby over the mother.

Use in Daily Life and Control

In the household of Commander Kyle, the Computalk is a tool of the elite. Agnes Jemima recalls that her father, Commander Kyle, would sit at his desk with his Computalk and a stack of papers, engaged in "the important things that men did." The device is forbidden to women, except for the Aunts, who are permitted to use it as part of their duties. The Marthas, who are not allowed Computalks, must rely on word-of-mouth for information, highlighting the strict hierarchy of communication access. This restriction reinforces the regime's control over information, ensuring that only those in power can issue commands or receive updates.

Symbolic Significance

The Computalk embodies the paradox of Gilead's relationship with technology. While the regime rejects many aspects of modern life—such as women's education, driving, and employment—it selectively adopts communication devices to maintain order. The Computalk is a tool of surveillance and command, enabling the Aunts and Commanders to monitor and direct activities across the country. Its presence in key scenes, from the birth of Baby Mark to the daily operations of Ardua Hall, underscores the regime's reliance on technology for control, even as it preaches a return to traditional values. The device thus serves as a symbol of the regime's hypocrisy and its use of modern tools to enforce a pre-modern social order.