Handmaid's Tale: All 9 Classes of Women, Explained! 🤯

In the dystopian society of Gilead, as depicted in the series “The Handmaid’s Tale,” there are various types of women living under a theonomic regime. Keeping track of these characters can be quite challenging. The narrative primarily follows June Osborne (played by Elizabeth Moss), who initially navigates and later escapes from Gilead. In the final season, her aim is to bring about its destruction. Originating from Margaret Atwood’s 1984 novel of the same name, “The Handmaid’s Tale” has been adapted so that June’s story resonates even more profoundly with current-day events.

Initially, I was a Handmaid belonging to Commander Fred Waterford and his wife, but as days turned into weeks, I found myself interacting with Jezebels, disguising myself as an Econowife to flee, and standing up to Aunt Lydia. Through my journey, it becomes strikingly clear that the role of every woman in Gilead is strictly defined, even those who wield significant power are confined. The restricted roles of women in Gilead expose the chilling extent of the misogynistic regime’s grasp.

1. Wives

Women At The Top With No Real Power

In the society of Gilead, the title ‘Wife’ denotes the highest female status, and these women are afforded a level of respect that other females cannot reach. They are distinguished by their blue attire, symbolizing a spiritual connection to the Virgin Mary. Similar to all women in Gilead, a woman becomes a Wife when she is married to a high-ranking man, such as an Eye or Commander. This close association with powerful men gives them some power within this male-dominated society.

In the world of Gilead, although wives such as Serena played significant roles in its establishment, they are fundamentally barred from participating in its governance. Moreover, the women destined to be wives are not educated to read. Contrasting her past as an author and activist, Serena, in Gilead, is prohibited from engaging with the society she significantly contributed to creating. This scenario illustrates that even a misogynistic society that claims to value women will ultimately suppress them.

2. Widows

The Bleak Future Of All Wives In Gilead

Widows occupy a particularly exposed position within the society of Gilead. They are women who have lost their husbands. Serena is the most significant widow in “The Handmaid’s Tale” following the death of her husband, Fred Waterford, in season 4, but she does not fit the typical mold of a Wife or a Widow in Gilead. Olivia Winslow (played by Elizabeth Reaser) could have been a prominent widow, yet due to her husband’s absence being unacknowledged, she cannot be recognized as a widow.

Due to the veil of mystery surrounding the lives of Widows, beyond their constant mourning attire, little is known about them. However, Margaret Atwood’s novel provides some insights. In this narrative, Offred suggests that Widows might be eliminated because they are no longer valuable to the society in Gilead.

3. Aunts

They Win Power For Themselves By Oppressing Others

In the society of Gilead, where Wives hold significant status, it’s the Aunts who might just be the most influential women, as portrayed in The Handmaid’s Tale. Aunts can be easily identified by their brown uniforms, and they oversee Handmaids, Daughters, and Unwomen. Due to specific circumstances, Aunts are the only women in Gilead who have the ability to read and write.

As a devoted cinephile, I can’t help but reflect on the chilling portrayal of Aunt Lydia in “The Handmaid’s Tale.” In the oppressive society of Gilead, Aunts wield an unnerving amount of authority over women. However, this power is predicated upon their relentless subjugation of other females.

At the Rachel and Leah Center, these Aunts exert control through fear and brutality, employing cattle prods and violence to break the spirits of women until they conform to Gilead’s tyrannical rule. Aunt Lydia, a particularly menacing antagonist, stands out in June’s struggle against this dystopian regime. She is directly responsible for enslaving fertile women and transforming them into Handmaids.

4. Handmaids

Sinful Women Valued For Their Fertility

In the dystopian society of Gilead, Handmaids are women who are deemed fertile, a status that prevents them from becoming Wives due to perceived sinfulness. For instance, June was labeled an adulteress because her previous husband had been divorced in pre-Gilead times. In essence, these women serve as sexual slaves for powerful men and their wives, used to procreate within the confines of Gilead as depicted in ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’.

In their existence, Handmaids hold no power over their personal decisions, reproductive rights, or the offspring they are compelled to conceive. The brief period of increased standing for them comes during pregnancy, yet they remain indistinguishable items in a broader system.

5. Marthas

Domestic Servants In Gilead

In The Handmaid’s Tale, Marthas can be thought of as a blend of Handmaids and Aunts, serving in roles that share characteristics from both. Similar to Handmaids, they lack power and are regarded as property. On the other hand, much like Aunts, they are infertile and not considered sinful by Gilead’s standards. Prior to the establishment of Gilead, Marthas were likely skilled women who, despite their backgrounds, were deemed unsuitable to survive under the new regime due to perceived impurity.

Housekeepers known as Marthas, often seen in shades of grey or green uniforms, are symbolic of their subservient role within households. Their responsibilities encompass tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and managing household chores. If the family employs them has children, they might also function as nannies. Notably, the lowly status of Marthas offers a unique advantage: Marthas are so deferential that they blend seamlessly into the background in Gilead. This anonymity makes them ideal for secretive activities, like when individuals such as June attempt to flee Gilead in disguise, often choosing to pass as Marthas.

6. Daughters

Little Girls Raised Into Gilead

As a devoted fan, I find myself often pondering over the unique societal structure in Gilead as depicted in “The Handmaid’s Tale.” Unlike ordinary girls, the term “Daughter” is reserved for the offspring of high-ranking figures such as Commanders, setting them apart from others. These Daughters are brought up to embrace and perpetuate the principles of Gilead’s authoritarian system, destined to become wives in the future. The skills they acquire, like crocheting and embroidery, reflect this role, but an essential skill like reading is deliberately withheld from them, a stark reminder of their subservient position within this dystopian world.

In their youth, daughters typically wear soft pink clothes, but as they grow older, it’s customary for them to switch to purple attire. This color change often signifies that the daughter has reached a marriageable age, either when she turns 12 or experiences menarche. At this point, they are affectionately referred to as “plums.” Before becoming a wife, these plums attend Premarital Preparation Classes, which are conducted by Aunts, marking the final stage in their journey towards matrimony.

7. Econowives

Wives For Men Who Can’t Afford Wives

In the society of Gilead, where High-Ranking men have Wives, the spouses of the lower-class men are referred to as Econowives. These Econowives belong to the larger group known as Econopeople, who represent the poor underclass in Gilead, yet they are granted some participation within the society. Due to their husbands’ low social standing, Econowives find themselves performing tasks traditionally assigned to Wives, Marthas, and Handmaids all at once.

In Margaret Atwood’s novel “The Handmaid’s Tale,” the complex nature of being an Econowife is depicted by having them don grey outfits with horizontal stripes of blue, green, and red. On the other hand, the television adaptation portrays Econowives wearing plain, drab grey clothing. However, if an Econowife’s husband ascends to the rank of Commander, she is elevated from an Econopwife to a full Wife. The most well-known Econowife in “The Handmaid’s Tale” is Eden Blaine, portrayed by Sydney Sweeney during season 2. Sweeney’s character underscores that even a devout follower like Eden finds no true contentment in the society of Gilead.

8. Jezebels

In the world of “The Handmaid’s Tale,” Jezebels represent women who defy the strict societal norms of Gilead by becoming prostitutes as an alternative to being exiled to the colonies. These women, named after the Biblical queen known for her indulgence and power, have a remarkable level of autonomy within their brothels, which are called Jezebel’s. Unlike other women in Gilead who must adhere strictly to their uniforms and moral guidelines, Jezebels can read, consume alcohol, apply makeup, and maintain a more relaxed code of conduct.

In the world of The Handmaid’s Tale, I, as a follower, find that Jezebels stand out distinctly from other women due to their sterilization. Beyond the constant sexual violence they endure in their roles within Gilead, Jezebels are strictly controlled by the Aunts. When a Jezebel reaches a certain age or loses her attractiveness, she is callously discarded. However, my friend Moira Strand (Samira Wiley) demonstrates that the brief, harsh existence of a Jezebel can be preferable for some women compared to the sexual servitude imposed on Handmaids.

9. Unwomen

In contrast to Handmaids from “The Handmaid’s Tale,” who are still fertile, the Unwomen are either infertile sinners or fertile ones deemed irredeemably sinful by Gilead. These women reside in the Colonies, where they perform manual labor such as farming, waste cleanup, and other tasks. Most of these Unwomen perish swiftly due to radiation exposure or starvation.

The crucial aspect of Unwomen, as portrayed in “The Handmaid’s Tale,” sheds light on the condition of all women within the society of Gilead. It’s important to note that every woman in this narrative, from a Wife who transforms into a Widow and vanishes, to an older Jezebel or Handmaid, ultimately holds little value and is disposable.

2025-05-17 22:12

Handmaid’s Tale: All 9 Classes of Women, Explained! 🤯