Allegory of Gilead
The statue that is told about as the novel starts was very beautiful and commanding when it was built. But as time went by, it lost its allure as it was now covered with moss and breadcrumbs. This is an allegory of Gilead for once it was a country which celebrated democracy, fairness and equality but as time went by and from lack of people's concern from the worsening democracy, it became a dictatorship.
The Handmaid Doll as a Symbol of all Handmaids
The Handmaid Doll that Tabitha's daughter owned is a representation of the lives that the handmaids led in Gilead. The doll was red in color, had a bulgy tummy and a white hat that hid her face. The handmaids in Gilead were used as childbearing vessels as the bulgy tummy suggested and were required to be submissive as the white hat covered their faces since they were not supposed to be heard.
Motif of prayer
The novel has several instances of prayer. This is because Gilead was a Christian state that required its citizens to pray for forgiveness and good fortune. Tabitha always prayed when she put her daughter to sleep. Her prayers were in form of song. Aunt Lydia led the other aunts and handmaids into prayer at Ardua Hall whenever they ate.
Baby Nicole as a Symbol of betrayal
Baby Nicole reminded the government of Gilead of the treachery of its handmaids since the baby had been whisked away to Canada from Gilead. At Ardua Hall where Aunt Lydia lived, there was a framed picture of baby Nicole that served as a reminder of that treachery by the handmaids.
Gilead as an allegory of the society today
Gilead is an allegory of the state of society today. It shows how various forms of discrimination such as sexism, classism and racism could destroy democracy if left untamed. The country is a place where women have no rights such as those of freedom of expression, worship, the right to vote among others. It represents the modern world where some women still face the same problem.
