Dr. Grove
Dr. Grove is the family dentist to the elite families of Gilead and the father of Becka, a schoolmate of Agnes Jemima. He is described as a middle-aged man with no distinguishing features, blue and bloodshot eyes magnified by his glasses, elephant-knee eyelids, and breath that smells of onions. He is considered the best dentist, and all the top Commanders and their families go to him. His office is in the Blessings of Health Building, which has a picture of a smiling tooth on the outside. His dental assistant is Mr. William.
Sexual Abuse of Patients
Dr. Grove sexually abuses his young female patients during their dental appointments. When Agnes Jemima visits him for her yearly checkup, he tells her she has "perfect teeth" and then puts his hand on her small but growing breast. He then takes hold of her right hand and positions it on his own exposed body part, using a towel to wipe himself off afterward. He tells her, "Good girl. I didn't hurt you," and gives her a fatherly pat on the shoulder before reminding her to brush twice a day and floss. Agnes is left feeling sick to her stomach, and she knows that if she reports the incident, she will be in trouble because Dr. Grove is a well-respected man. She also fears what it would do to her friend Becka if she spoke about her father.
Abuse of His Daughter Becka
Dr. Grove's abuse extends to his own daughter, Becka, beginning when she was very young. Becka confides to Agnes that the abuse started when she was four years old. She is terrified of marriage and of men, and she attempts suicide by slashing her wrist with secateurs during a flower-arranging class rather than face her arranged marriage. When Agnes suggests they tell someone, Becka refuses, saying that her father told her he was set in authority over her by God, and that her mother would not believe her or would say she led him on. She believes that if he were killed for his crimes, it would be her fault, like murder.
Downfall and Execution
Dr. Grove's downfall is orchestrated by Aunt Lydia, who uses Aunt Elizabeth to trap him. Aunt Elizabeth books an appointment with Dr. Grove, and at the appropriate moment, she scrambles out of the dentist's chair, rips her clothing, and shrieks that Grove tried to rape her. Mr. William, the dental assistant, testifies against Grove at his trial, claiming he had reason to suspect his employer of irregularities in the past. Dr. Grove is condemned for raping Aunt Elizabeth, though Aunt Lydia later reveals to Commander Judd that he was actually a pedophile who was "ruining too many young girls for marriage." At the Particicution, Dr. Grove is led out to the field, arms pinioned, screaming "I didn't do it!" He is then literally torn apart by seventy shrieking Handmaids. Aunt Elizabeth presides over the proceedings, and Aunt Immortelle (Becka) faints at the sight of her father's death. Commander Judd later remarks, "A pity. He was a fine dentist."
