Particicution of Dr. Grove

The Particicution of Dr. Grove is the brutal public execution of a respected dentist who had secretly molested young female patients, including his own daughter Becka. The event is a carefully staged piece of political theater orchestrated by Aunt Lydia, who uses a false rape accusation against Aunt Elizabeth to destroy Grove, bind Elizabeth to her through shared guilt, and eliminate a predator who was ruining too many girls for marriage.

Background and the Predator

Dr. Grove was the best dentist in Gilead, trusted by the highest-ranking Commanders and their families. He was also a serial child molester. For years he had fondled and assaulted young girls in his dental chair, including Becka, his own daughter, beginning when she was four years old. He had also molested Agnes Jemima during a routine checkup, squeezing her breast and forcing her hand onto his genitals. Grove depended on the fact that in Gilead, four female witnesses were the equivalent of one male, and that the testimonies of young girls counted for little or nothing. He also relied on the confidence of the Commanders, who gave much latitude to professionals who could relieve them of pain. Aunt Lydia had known about Grove's crimes for some time and had even collected photographic evidence, but she had passed over it because she knew the system would not convict him on the word of children.

The Staged Accusation

Aunt Lydia decided that Grove demanded retribution, but she could not rely on Becka to testify. Instead, she devised a plan using Aunt Elizabeth. Elizabeth booked an appointment with Dr. Grove. At the appropriate moment, she scrambled out of the dentist's chair, ripped her clothing, and shrieked that Grove had tried to rape her. She then staggered out into the waiting room, where the dental assistant, Mr. William, witnessed her dishevelled appearance and ravaged state of soul. The person of an Aunt was supposed to be sacrosanct, and the accusation was immediately believed. Mr. William testified against Grove at his trial, describing Grove's rage at the moment of discovery and claiming that Grove had called Aunt Elizabeth a "fucking bitch." He also reluctantly admitted that he had had some reason to suspect his employer of irregularities in the past, saying that anaesthetics could be such a temptation in the wrong hands. Grove could hardly defend himself by admitting that he would never have laid a lecherous finger on Aunt Elizabeth since he was only aroused by underage girls.

The Execution

In view of Aunt Elizabeth's exceptional performance, Aunt Lydia felt it more than fair that she be allowed to conduct the Particicution proceedings at the stadium. Grove was the second to be dispatched. He had to watch as the first condemned man, an Angel who had been caught selling grey market lemons and aiding Handmaids in their flights, was kicked to death and then literally torn apart by seventy shrieking Handmaids. As Grove was led out to the field, arms pinioned, he screamed, "I didn't do it!" Aunt Elizabeth, the picture of outraged virtue, sternly blew the whistle. In two minutes Dr. Grove was no more. Fists were raised, clutching clumps of bloodied hair torn out by the roots. The Aunts and Supplicants were all present to support the vindication of one of Ardua Hall's revered Founders. Among the newly recruited Pearls was Nicole, who had arrived only the day before, and for whom this was a baptismal moment. While Grove was being reduced to a slurry by the Handmaids, Aunt Immortelle (Becka) fainted, which was to be expected: she was always sensitive, and Grove was, after all, cast in the role of her father.

Consequences and Aftermath

Commander Judd watched the Particicution on closed-circuit television in his office. He sighed and said, "A pity. He was a fine dentist." Aunt Lydia replied, "Yes. But sins must not be overlooked simply because the sinner is skilled." When Judd asked if Grove was really guilty, Aunt Lydia told him the truth: Grove was not guilty of raping Aunt Elizabeth, but he was a pedophile. Judd sighed again and said, "Poor man. It is a severe affliction. We must pray for his soul." Aunt Lydia explained that Grove was ruining too many young girls for marriage; rather than accepting wedlock, the precious flowers were deserting to the Aunts. Judd then asked if that was the case with the girl Agnes, and Aunt Lydia confirmed it. After her exertions in the dentist's office, at the trial, and at the Particicution, Aunt Elizabeth suffered a nervous collapse. She was sent to a Retreat House to recuperate. Aunt Lydia visited her, and Elizabeth was tearful and agitated. Aunt Lydia knew what was truly agitating her: she had perjured herself irrevocably, which, if discovered, would signal her end. Elizabeth expressed gratitude to Aunt Lydia for her guidance, now that she was her firm ally. Aunt Lydia had obtained a photographic sequence of the staged accusation through a mini-camera positioned within an attractive diagram of a full set of teeth. Should Elizabeth ever attempt to slip the leash, she could threaten to produce it as proof that she had lied.