6 Lessons ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Can Teach You About Life

@thechicparty

The Hulu series with a cult-like following, “The Handmaid’s Tale,” is based on the 1985 dystopian novel by Canadian writer Margaret Atwood. It centers on a fictional character named Offred, played by Elisabeth Moss, who is given the title of a handmaid, along with all of the other fertile women in the country. In this alternate world based in the “Republic of Gilead,” low reproduction rates gave cause to round up all the fertile women against their will to bear children for elite couples who have trouble conceiving. These women have their freedom completely restricted and they’re constantly under watch. 

Families are ripped apart to create this reproductive dystopia. “The Handmaid’s Tale” follows the lives of these women as they navigate this new and dangerous world where rape is not only the norm, but encouraged. This storyline by Margaret Atwood is timeless and creepily real. It personifies women’s fears of what everyday sexism can feel like. Throughout the series, you’ll see how these women gain individualism and independence. Here are six life lessons we learned from “The Handmaid’s Tale.”

1. Stay awake.

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The handmaids spend all of their time doing what seems like shopping for groceries, sitting in waiting rooms or waiting around the house. They’re forced into mundane routines and it seems like life is easier for all of them when they just keep their heads down and slap a smile on their face. Within this dystopia, it’s easy to go into autopilot mode, but these women find the strength to stay awake and aware of what’s going on around them. Let’s learn from characters like Offred to never go on autopilot and stay aware of what’s happening around us. 

2. Life isn’t a guarantee.

Throughout the series, we learn just how quickly freedom can disappear. Even in a world where everything seems fine one day, things could change in an instant. In “The Handmaid’s Tale,” there’s a scene in episode 3 where June’s (Offred’s real name) boss tells all of the women, including her, that they’re being let go. They’re escorted out of the building by uniformed men with military-grade guns. 

Side note: In this alternate universe, women are named after the male in their household. In Offred’s case, her “commander’s” name is Fred Waterford, so Of-Fred. We should never take our freedom for granted.

3. Don’t ignore threats.

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It’s easier than we’d like to think to ignore something that could threaten our safety or the safety of those around us. Sometimes ignoring might seem like the only solution, but in cases where freedom is at risk, we can decide to be proactive instead of standing by. In “The Handmaid’s Tale” Offred says, “Luke and I would watch her sometimes on the late-night news. …We thought she was funny. Or Luke thought she was funny. I only pretended to think so. Really she was a little frightening. She was in earnest.” As long as we continue to ignore things people will continue to think they’re ok.

4. When things are unjust, everyone loses. 

When you’re going through something, it’s easy to point fingers at people who have more than you. In “The Handmaid’s Tale,” Offred is going through hell trying to cope with her new life the best she can. Serena, the commander’s wife, seems like she has it pretty good compared to Offred, but in reality, the wife is dealing with loss, a lack of love, a lack of connection and her rights have also been limited in his alternate world. Both women are in totally different places in society, but they’re both impacted tremendously. This goes to show you that there’s always someone right there with you when you feel discouraged. You’re never alone. 

5. The power doesn’t always lie at the top.

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Throughout the course of all 10 episodes, the handmaids slowly start to realize they have more power than they think. In the beginning, they feared being punished if they spoke out, but what they didn’t consider at first was how easily they could hold the power if they wanted to. When they were commanded to stone of their own friends to death, Offred took the first step towards gaining back some dignity. She said no and walked away. The other handmaids followed her lead. They proved how effective support can be. If you believe strongly enough about something, take charge of the situation. You’ll be surprised with what you can do and who will have your back. 

6. Always care for each other.

Friendship is one of the toughest bonds to break. After the Republic of Gilead began to take over, June (Offred’s real name) and Moira, her best friend since adolescence are separated. After June and her husband and her family fail as escaping to Canada, she’s ripped apart from her husband and daughter and sent to the Red Center (where these women learn to be handmaids). She gets to reunites with Moira there. Moira eventually escapes from Gilead while June remains trapped.

Towards the end of the season the women reunite and despite everything they’ve been through, Moira still proves to be loyal to June. It’s friendship and love that give these women hope and keep them moving forward throughout the series.

There’s a quote in Atwood’s novel that says, “There can be alliances even in such places, even under such circumstance. This is something you can depend on: there will always be alliances, of one kind or another.” Atwood says, “It’s lack of love we die from.” Appreciate friendships, they’re our life lines.