Historical Notes

The professor further explains how the Republic of Gilead rose to power and what happened during and towards the end of Gilead. We learn that:

▪️ Birth rate was falling due to abortion and other ways of stopping birth. As well as toxic waste and nuclear power having an affect on children being born.

▪️ The Commander 'met his end' for 'holding a subversive' and 'possession of a substantial and unauthorised collection'. Obviously the unauthorised collection is in relation to his collection of illegal magazines and books that he possesses. The subversive mentioned is a bit more mysterious. The professor says it could have been Offred herself, but is more likely to be Nick, who was a double-coup: part of the eye and mayday.

The ultimate fate of Nick and Offred was unknown and that Offred most likely used fake names to protect her loved ones anyway.

▪️ The first wave of Handmaids - which Offred was a part of - were taken if they were from a second marriage and if they had reproductive abilities. But in the middle age, Gilead changes this rule and any woman not married in the state church who can reproduce, was taken.

▪️ There is a connection to the Gileadian birthing system and the banning all birth control in Romania, in which there were also links of promotion and wage increases to fertility

▪️ Gilead began from the organisation pretending that terrorists were attacking America which created an easy gateway into power.