Why ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Has Become a Feminist Life Raft

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As Hulu debuted the initial season of The Handmaid’s Tale in 2017, the similarities between the series and reality were strikingly apparent.

The show featured Elisabeth Moss in the role of June, a woman who was both a mother and wife, living under the oppressive regime known as Gilead – a society that replaced the U.S. government and claims to be religious but in truth exploits and suppresses women, even promoting a culture of sexual violence.

In this version, I aimed to make the text more conversational and easier to understand while maintaining the original meaning.

Initially, viewers were given a glimpse of June’s rights and those of her acquaintances being systematically taken away through flashbacks. The creators of the series, led by Bruce Miller, portrayed in chilling fashion the gradual unfolding of events in Gilead, a fictional society facing a global fertility crisis, which eventually led to the lower classes of women being compelled to serve as birth attendants for the ruling class. [Caution: This summary may contain spoilers for the final season of The Handmaid’s Tale].

The television series “The Handmaid’s Tale,” adapted from Margaret Atwood’s acclaimed novel, was initially conceived to depict a plausible future when it received the greenlight in early 2016, amidst the surge of Reaganism and the Moral Majority. However, by the time it aired, the show didn’t seem to be five years ahead; instead, it felt like just a few seconds had passed. Donald Trump was well into his unexpected presidency. Women had taken to the streets in massive protests around Trump’s inauguration. And now, “The Handmaid’s Tale” was portraying its main characters under attack at similar demonstrations.

1. The television series rapidly transformed into a symbol of real-life defiance, as people across the country started wearing the red cloaks and white bonnets portrayed by the characters as a sign of feminist solidarity. At Planned Parenthood’s centennial celebration, Hillary Clinton made a speech that echoed Margaret Atwood’s words: “They must never crush our spirit.” She also referenced lines from the show: “There is still hope for us.” The series implied that it was too late because everyone was engrossed in their phones. This prediction has proven to be eerily prescient.

2. Initially a popular TV show, ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ soon became a powerful symbol of resistance in the real world. People nationwide started wearing its signature red cloaks and white bonnets as a statement of feminist support. At Planned Parenthood’s 100th anniversary event, Hillary Clinton quoted Margaret Atwood, saying “They can never break our spirit.” She also drew parallels to the show by mentioning, “It is not too late for us.” The series suggested that it was too late because people were preoccupied with their phones. This ominous warning has proven to be strikingly prophetic.

Over the past few years, significant events related to sexual misconduct and power dynamics have unfolded. Harvey Weinstein, a focus of the #MeToo movement, faced multiple trials. Jeffrey Epstein, who passed away, was arrested for alleged sex trafficking. The landmark case _Roe v. Wade_ was overturned. Donald Trump was found liable for sexual abuse, Sean “Diddy” Combs was charged with sex trafficking, and shows and podcasts discussing the ‘manosphere’ have gained popularity. Notably, Trump has also returned to the White House.

Through every step, June has served as our representative and mentor. Prior to Gilead, she was just like any of us – a caring mother and spouse, a friendly companion with a career in the arts. As we cringed in disgust, we witnessed Gilead attempting to obliterate her individuality by subjecting her to abuse that no person deserves. Interestingly, the revival of misogyny solidified the show’s status as a powerful feminist counterpoint. June’s call-to-action, “Don’t let them break your spirit,” proved particularly relevant at this time.

In the final season of the Emmy-winning series, June, though not truly real, transformed from an individual into an army alongside her handmaids this spring. Did she intentionally cultivate an army among her viewers as well? We witnessed her accomplish the seemingly impossible by overcoming her oppressors and igniting a revolution, stirring our collective desire to rally together. Through her quiet leadership, we observed how she leveraged allies and orchestrated a covert resistance movement, inspiring us to resist in ways that make a difference.

She has carried out all these actions as a mother mourning her eldest daughter. Since I first saw The Handmaid’s Tale, my hope, like everyone else’s, was for June to reunite with her daughter. Her oldest child, Hannah, was taken away from her in the pilot episode. However, by the end of the series, Hannah remains in Gilead. Despite June’s courageous actions, we see her make a heart-wrenching choice: She chooses to return to Gilead in a painful scene reminiscent of Sophie’s Choice. She leaves her youngest daughter, Nichole, with her own mother and stays with the resistance, swearing she will never rest until she gets Hannah back. In the last scene of the series, she prepares to tell her story — the same Handmaid’s Tale we have been following.

Picturing a world devoid of “The Handmaid’s Tale” is quite challenging given our current struggles in feminism. As a woman, I find it hard to accept that I have less rights now than when I joined the show in 2017, as stated by the current season six showrunner Yahlin Chang. Ane Crabtree, the original costume designer, added a poignant remark: “When I see the cloaks being used as a symbol of resistance, it brings back a sense of nostalgia for when they were simply cloaks.

At least, Atwood’s work provides a glimmer of hope. When her book was initially published, phrases like “a woman’s place is in the home” were regaining popularity. She later reflected, “I pondered, how will you manage to confine them all since they were out and about with credit cards and jobs?” This thought, expressed years ago, still seems remarkably relevant today.

In the upcoming Hulu-MGM sequel series, “The Testaments,” the storylines will carry on, based on Atwood’s subsequent novel. Aunt Lydia, portrayed by Ann Dowd, is expected to return to her role as an educator in Gilead, possibly including Hannah, in this new continuation.

As I eagerly follow the growing TV world of Gilead, I can’t help but feel a sense of mystery surrounding the character of June, played by Moss. Though she may be hidden from our screens, it’s clear that she’s not absent; instead, she could be operating covertly, engaged in battles we can only imagine.

Hope blooms from sorrow, and should June not lay down her mantle, none of us can either. This may not be the ending we desired, but it’s the one that serves us best.

Originally published in a special June edition of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Subscribe now to get each issue delivered to your doorstep. [Link provided for subscription]

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2025-06-03 21:26