THE HANDMAIDS TALE Season 1 TRAILER (2017) Hulu Series

Summary

The script reflects a dystopian reality where oppressive forces have dismantled society's foundations, using terror, surveillance, and control to subjugate individuals. The narrator, Offred, recalls the rise of the regime, the suspension of basic rights, and the enforcement of strict societal roles, particularly for women. In this world, women are reduced to vessels for reproduction, forced into servitude under the guise of a moral cause. The narrative highlights the cost of power and control, urging reflection on how 'better' is often only better for the few, at the expense of the many.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker reflects on a past where major societal changes occurred without resistance or awareness, leading to a dystopian situation.
• 😀 A significant event, such as the slaughtering of congress, went unnoticed, setting the stage for the subsequent suspension of constitutional rights.
• 😀 The speaker’s name was once different, but now she is known as 'Offred,' which highlights the loss of identity in this society.
• 😀 The imposition of strict laws, including job and bank account suspensions, represents a drastic societal overhaul.
• 😀 The society has adopted a hierarchical structure where women serve leaders and their barren wives by bearing children.
• 😀 The society controls women's lives through surveillance, with the mention of an 'eye' watching from within their homes.
• 😀 Those who defy the regime are sent to the colonies, where they must endure toxic waste cleanup.
• 😀 The celebration of Gilead is depicted as a celebration of the regime's success, but it’s presented with an ironic tone, hinting at the horrors behind this success.
• 😀 The regime's justification for its actions is framed as having wanted to 'make the world better,' though this is a highly subjective and biased perspective.
• 😀 The speaker challenges the idea that 'better' means improvement for all, highlighting the inequality embedded in this society.
• 😀 A reference to scripture is used to remind individuals of their place in society, encouraging submission through the idea that the meek and those who suffer for righteousness are 'blessed.'

Q & A

What is the significance of the speaker's name 'Offred'?

The name 'Offred' signifies the speaker's lack of individuality and ownership. It means 'Of Fred,' indicating she belongs to a man named Fred, reflecting the oppressive nature of the society where women are stripped of their identities.

What event is being referred to when 'they slaughtered congress'?

The phrase refers to a violent or drastic change in the political system, likely a reference to a coup or revolution where the government and its institutions were violently dismantled.

Why does the speaker say 'we didn't wake up when they blamed terrorists'?

The speaker is reflecting on how society failed to react to earlier warnings or abuses of power, such as the scapegoating of terrorists to justify the suspension of rights and freedoms.

What does 'suspending the constitution' imply in this context?

Suspending the constitution implies the abolition of civil liberties and legal protections, marking a shift towards an authoritarian regime where laws no longer safeguard personal freedoms.

What role do the women in this society have, as described by the speaker?

The women are subjugated to serve the ruling class. Their primary roles are to bear children for the powerful leaders and their wives, or face being sent to the 'colonies' to work in toxic conditions.

What is meant by 'There's an eye in your house'?

The 'eye' refers to surveillance agents who monitor citizens' actions, ensuring that everyone adheres to the strict rules of the regime. It symbolizes the ever-present control and loss of privacy.

What does the speaker mean by 'they'll send you to the colonies'?

The 'colonies' refer to areas where people who are deemed unworthy or rebellious are sent to work in dangerous, toxic environments as a form of punishment or forced labor.

What is the 'celebration of Gilead'?

The 'celebration of Gilead' marks the regime's twisted sense of accomplishment. It celebrates the oppressive and violent society they have created, where they believe they have 'made the world better,' despite the harm caused to many.

How does the speaker view the concept of 'better' in this society?

The speaker critiques the notion that 'better' means improvement for all. Instead, it highlights that 'better' only applies to those in power, leaving the oppressed in a worse state.

What does the reference to scripture ('blessed are the meek') reveal about the society?

The reference to scripture is used to justify the oppressive social order. The regime interprets religious teachings to reinforce the idea that the meek (the oppressed) are virtuous, while suffering is framed as a form of righteousness for the greater cause.