The Testaments Summary
Description
Here you will find a The Testaments summary (Margaret Atwood's book).
We begin with a summary of the entire book, and then you can read each individual chapter's summary by visiting the links on the "Chapters" section.
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Last Updated: Monday 1 Jan, 2024
Chapters
Chapters The Testaments Summary Overview
Three distinct voices come together to narrate the story, which revolves around their roles in a conspiracy to bring down the oppressive, patriarchal and theocratic government of a future nation. The first narrator, known as Aunt Lydia, is responsible for a manuscript titled "The Ardua Hall Holograph". The other two, Agnes and Daisy, provide their accounts through spoken testimonies. Aunt Lydia describes her rise to power in the harsh world of this dystopian society. Having previously been a judge, she is arrested and forced to watch as professional women are executed by the regime. Eventually, she is asked to cooperate with the regime and after a stint in solitary confinement, she concedes. She becomes one of the Founders of the Aunts, a group of women tasked with drafting and enforcing laws governing women. Using her position, she establishes an extensive surveillance system to gather evidence of wrongdoings by others. Aunt Lydia's narrative intertwines with that of a child known as Baby Nicole, a child secretly taken out of this dystopian nation to Canada by her mother, a Handmaid. Aunt Lydia is keen on finding Baby Nicole, whose location is kept secret by a resistance group against the regime. Parallel to this, Agnes and Daisy, the other two narrators, share their experiences. Agnes, a native of the dystopian nation, has her comfortable life thrown into disarray when her mother dies and her father marries a vicious stepmother. She grows increasingly fearful of the treatment of women, a fear confirmed by witnessing the death of a Handmaid during childbirth. Encouraged by Aunt Lydia, Agnes seeks refuge among the Aunts and learns to read and write, becoming privy to top-secret information about the corruption among the nation's elite. Daisy, on the other hand, grows up in Toronto and after the death of her parents, learns from a mysterious woman, Ada, that she is the infamous Baby Nicole and her parents were just agents designated to protect her. The plot intensifies when Daisy's real identity is revealed and she's coerced into infiltrating the regime to retrieve top-secret documents meant to bring down the government. Daisy, disguised as a convert, manages to sneak into the oppressive nation and ends up at Ardua Hall with Agnes. There, Aunt Lydia discloses herself as the source of information, implants a document filled with evidence of corruption into Daisy's arm, and reveals to Agnes and Daisy that they are sisters. Together, they navigate their way out of the nation and back to Canada. The exposure of the documents sets in motion the downfall of the oppressive regime. The narrative concludes with a historian discussing these testimonies in a distant future.
part 1
The Testaments kicks off with a manuscript named “The Ardua Hall Holograph,” penned by a woman who is later identified as Aunt Lydia. She recalls a function held nine years ago to commemorate her contributions, where a statue in her image was unveiled. The unveiling was reluctantly led by Aunt Vidala, her professional rival. The statue, which is a magnified representation of her younger self, portrays her in a powerful, poised posture gazing at “some cosmic point of reference understood to represent my idealism, my unflinching commitment to duty.” The statue also features two more characters: a Handmaid and a Pearl Girl. Over the past nine years, the statue has aged, and admirers have started leaving food items like eggs, oranges, and croissants at its base. Aunt Lydia speaks to her unidentified future reader, revealing her fear surrounding the potential danger of penning this document. She composes her story in a secluded area of the Ardua Hall library. She candidly acknowledges her participation in Gilead's ruling administration's bloodshed, a regime she served in order to pave the path for a “morally pure generation.”
part 2
The second part of the book introduces Agnes Jemima, a new narrator who shares her experiences of growing up in Gilead through her recorded testimony, "Transcript of Witness Testimony 369A." Being part of a high-ranking family, Agnes was predestined to be a Commander's wife. She went to a prestigious school led by Aunt Vidala, known for her rigid rules, and Aunt Estée, who was somewhat kinder. Aunt Vidala taught the girls to protect themselves from men, while Aunt Estée assured them that there were good men and promised to help the girls find one to marry. Agnes shared a bond with her mother, Tabitha, who would often recount a make-believe tale where she picked Agnes from an ensnared group of girls in a magical castle. She found solace in a nightly prayer about guardian angels, but it also left her questioning the difference between biblical angels and Gilead's armed "Angels." She had a fancy dollhouse set that she played with, alongside Tabitha. Agnes would make the Commander doll distant and quiet just like her father, Commander Kyle. She kept the Handmaid doll in its box as they made her uncomfortable, and she had an inkling they were associated with "something damaging, or something damaged." She also had an Aunt doll which she locked in the cellar. She would ignore the Aunt doll’s cries for help with the Martha doll. Agnes recalls her second name, Jemima, was inspired by Job's story from the Bible, where Job received new children from God after losing his own. However, she pondered why Job would forget his deceased children and accept the new ones. When Tabitha fell sick, Agnes spent time with the three Marthas in their household; Vera, Rosa, and Zilla. The Marthas wouldn’t allow her to assist them, believing she should focus on becoming a Wife and overseeing her own Marthas. But, they let her play with dough scraps, which she enjoyed shaping into men and eating. Agnes's schoolmates were Becka, a timid girl, and Shunammite, an assertive girl who called herself Agnes's best friend. But Agnes doubted her intentions as her father wasn't as influential as Commander Kyle. Agnes was hurt when she heard from Shunammite that her mother was dying, refusing to believe it and maintaining that Tabitha was just unwell.
part 3
The writer of "The Ardua Hall Holograph" muses over her changed, aging appearance. Once "handsome," she now considers herself "imposing." She contemplates her impending mortality, pondering whether she'll succumb to old age or be executed by the state. She finds a strange kind of freedom in the fact that the method of her death remains somewhat under her control. The narrator then discloses herself to be Aunt Lydia, a revered figure seen as a paragon of virtue, yet corrupted by power. Once upon a time, she had been a family court judge before the rise of Gilead. On Easter, Aunt Lydia records the day's happenings, including an incident where Aunt Elizabeth took an extra egg during their communal meal at Ardua Hall. She also leads the Prayer of Grace, ending it with a personal motto: Per Ardua Cum Estrus – a phrase whose real meaning is known only to her. She acknowledges the exploitation of Baby Nicole's image for propaganda purposes. Baby Nicole was an infant smuggled to safety in Canada from Gilead years ago. Aunt Lydia has since utilized her image to stir emotions within Gilead's populace. Baby Nicole, she believes, still has "a brilliant future." After the Easter feast, Aunt Lydia retreats to her private enclave within the library, filled with forbidden literature and confidential files about Gilead's hidden past. This is where she pens her manuscript, cleverly concealed within a copy of Cardinal Newman’s Apologia Pro Vita Sua, or “A Defence of One’s Life.” The title, she mulls, aptly mirrors her own situation, as she's essentially writing to justify her existence.
part 4
Daisy takes over as the narrator in Part IV, providing her account labeled “Transcript of Witness Testimony 369B.” She starts recounting her tale before her supposed sixteenth birthday, when she realizes her life had been an elaborate hoax. Daisy's parents, Melanie and Neil, ran a second-hand clothing shop, The Clothes Hound, in Toronto, Canada. Melanie handled sales and inventory while Neil took care of the accounts. He had a peculiar fascination for cameras and had a mysterious object in his safe, which Daisy assumed was a toy. Daisy spent most of her time helping at the shop as Melanie was concerned about her being home alone. The shop attracted various people besides regular customers. Homeless people would come in to use the bathroom, and a woman named Ada, who Melanie claimed was a good friend, would make frequent visits. Daisy was suspicious of Ada as she always arrived in a different vehicle. “Pearl Girls”, Gilead missionaries dressed in silver, occasionally came to distribute pamphlets, many of which had references to Baby Nicole. Melanie and Neil were not like other parents; Daisy had no childhood photos and they were excessively protective. Against their advice, Daisy took part in a rally against Gilead's human rights violations. Daisy felt initially excited but panicked when chaos ensued. Ada helped her escape the crowd and brought her home, where she saw herself on television. A break-in occurred at The Clothes Hound three days later, with Neil claiming an old camera was stolen. That same night, the news reported the hanging death of a Pearl Girl named Aunt Adrianna. On her birthday, Daisy went to school as usual, but at the end of the day, Ada came to pick her up, bearing the devastating news that Daisy’s parents were killed in a car bomb explosion near their store.
part 5
Aunt Lydia ponders who might someday discover her writings and how she has managed to remain under Gilead's radar. She credits her survival to her control over Gilead's women's culture as the head of the Aunts, her stockpile of damaging information on those in authority, and her cautious tactics. She recounts a recent encounter with Commander Judd, the influential intelligence head of the Eyes. It's well-known to her that Judd has secretly done away with several wives to wed younger women. Judd informed her that two key Mayday agents in Canada were eliminated by the Eyes, thanks to details provided by Pearl Girls. Aunt Lydia points out that she originated the Pearl Girls missionary initiative during a period when many Gilead women were fleeing to Canada. However, Judd claimed this innovation as his own, bolstering his political standing. He concluded their meeting with apprehension over possible inside connections between Gilead and the Canadian Mayday operatives. Aunt Lydia briefly laments her missed opportunity to flee before Gilead was established but quickly dismisses these feelings as futile. She then narrates her ordeal during the coup. Post the Sons of Jacob's annihilation of the U.S. Congress, armed men stormed her office, arrested all the women, and directed her and her co-worker Anita to a nearby stadium.
part 6
After the death of her mother, Tabitha, Agnes conversed with a widow named Paula at the funeral. Paula suggested that her husband was accidentally killed by their Handmaid, but a different tale from the Marthas suggested that he had forced the Handmaid into illicit activities and she had retaliated by taking his life. Agnes leaned towards the latter explanation and had a grim satisfaction picturing Paula in her husband's blood. Soon after, Paula became Agnes's new stepmother. Around the same period, a chilling incident took place at Agnes's school. Aunt Vidala shared a dark tale about a concubine handed back to her abusive partner by her own father, who was then thrown to an angry mob by the man. The full story, which Aunt Vidala withheld, involved the man dismembering the concubine and instigating a war by distributing the parts. The tale was profoundly disturbing to the girls, especially Becka, who vowed never to wed. As Agnes was coming into adolescence, she felt uncomfortable about her blossoming body. During a trip to the dentist, Dr. Grove, who was Becka's father, sexually assaulted her. Agnes was left feeling violated and suspected Paula was aware of what might occur but had kept silent. In school, Shunammite circulated gossip that Agnes's actual mother was a Handmaid who had planned to whisk her away from Gilead. This revelation resonated with Agnes, who began to worry about being labeled "the daughter of a slut" and prayed to Aunt Lydia for comfort. A Handmaid named Ofkyle was brought in to bear Commander Kyle's child. When Ofkyle delivered the baby, she faced serious health issues, and a medical procedure that saved the child's life but resulted in hers. This incident deeply affected Agnes, who vowed to remember Ofkyle, later finding out her real name was Crystal. Agnes was filled with quiet rage at the unfairness of Crystal's death during her simple funeral.
part 7
Aunt Lydia acknowledges that Gilead, despite professing to be "God’s kingdom," struggles with a high number of citizens fleeing the country. The rural territories of Maine and Vermont pose significant security issues due to the antagonistic sentiments of the inhabitants toward Gilead's regime. She shares that Aunts Elizabeth, Helen, and Vidala have crafted a strategy to resolve the issue of female emigration. They visited Aunt Lydia to relay news of recent crackdowns on rebels, including those linked to the Underground Femaleroad. In response, Aunt Lydia cheerily acknowledged the update before suggesting that there might be a mole within Gilead, potentially even Ardua Hall. Aunt Lydia then revisits the time of her capture. She and Anita were taken to a stadium and directed to sit with other legally trained women. While there, Aunt Lydia assessed her predicament. A product of a family that scorned education, she had always been a high achiever and she knew she would need to summon her resilience and determination once more. In the late afternoon, a group of blindfolded women were marched onto the field and executed by armed men. Aunt Lydia pondered the purpose of this public display if the men intended to annihilate all the women eventually.
part 8
Processing the news about Melanie and Neil's demise, Daisy followed Ada to a Quaker house, a secret base for SanctuCare, an aid group for Gilead refugees. Observing the tearful refugees, she didn't quite understand why they wept, but later realized it was a relief response. After a while, Ada returned, provided Daisy with a disguise, and led her to an old mansion in Toronto. Despite Ada bringing her birthday food and cake, worry prevented Daisy from indulging. The following day found Daisy befuddled and mourning Melanie and Neil. Ada and a man named Elijah met her in the living room. Daisy received a shocking revelation: Melanie and Neil weren't her biological parents, and her real parents were alive and hidden. They had arranged with Mayday, a resistance group, to get her out of Gilead as a child for safety, and she had been living with Melanie and Neil since. Daisy related this to Baby Nicole's story, to which Elijah confirmed she was Baby Nicole.
part 9
Aunt Lydia recalls a discussion with Commander Judd who informed her of his Wife's serious illness. She offered medical help at the Calm and Balm Clinic at Ardua Hall, but he declined, leading her to think that his Wife might pass away soon, leaving him in need of a new young spouse. In their conversation, Commander Judd disclosed that Aunt Adrianna’s death was officially deemed a suicide by the Canadian government. Gilead’s stance was to blame the cover-up on Mayday terrorist activities, a point Aunt Lydia supported despite knowing the truth. She was informed by Aunt Sally, a Pearl Girl like Aunt Adrianna, that Aunt Adrianna attacked her, forcing her to kill her in self-defense. Aunt Sally also hinted that Melanie and Neil’s child could be Baby Nicole. After ensuring Aunt Sally had kept the incident private, Aunt Lydia sent her to the Margery Kempe Retreat House to be sedated heavily. Commander Judd then revealed the discovery of a microdot camera among Neil’s belongings, an outdated device used for sending microscopic information, leading him to suspect a mole in Gilead communicating with Mayday. Aunt Lydia assured him they would outsmart Mayday. Aunt Lydia then goes back to recounting her arrest story. She paints a grim picture of the stadium, with abhorrent sanitary conditions, turning women into creatures barely human. Women were even enlisted to carry out executions. One day, Anita was taken away, and Aunt Lydia was escorted the next night to a former police station where she met Commander Judd. He asked for her cooperation, to which she responded, she needed more details. Judd sent her to solitary confinement, aka the "Thank Tank". Here she was physically abused. After an indefinite period, she was moved to a luxury hotel room for three days. On the last day, she found an outfit similar to those worn by the women executing prisoners at the stadium. With no other option, she donned the garment.
part 10
Agnes recounts her journey towards marriage. One night, she was summoned by Paula to meet Commander Kyle, Aunt Vidala, and Aunt Gabbana, who specialized in marriage negotiations. Despite her young age of thirteen, Aunt Gabbana declared Agnes fit for marriage following a physical examination. Agnes left the Vidala School and stayed at home, where she embroidered a skull as a secret symbol of Paula. As boredom set in, Agnes began to speculate about the requirements of becoming an Aunt. She found herself increasingly unsatisfied and threw the Wife doll from her dollhouse in frustration. To prepare Agnes for her wedding, Aunt Gabbana brought a fashion team to design her pre-wedding attire, predominantly spring green to indicate her readiness for marriage. Afterward, Agnes joined Rubies Premarital Preparatory, a school for young girls from high-class families. Agnes was joined by Shunammite and Becka, who had differing views on marriage. Shunammite was excited, while Becka expressed disgust, hinting at a potential past sexual ordeal. Becka’s mental state worsened as her wedding plans advanced. In a flower arrangement class, Becka cut her wrist and bid Agnes farewell with a fierce look on her face.
part 11
Aunt Lydia shares a dream where she finds herself in a stadium, donned in a brown robe, alongside similarly dressed women and men, all armed with rifles. They are facing two lines of women, all too familiar to Aunt Lydia, as they include her former friends, clients, and colleagues. The dream ends with them firing their guns. She then recalls the moment when she had dressed up in the outfit arranged for her in the hotel room. Soon, men guided her to Commander Judd. He asks for her cooperation again, to which she agrees, signifying her participation in a stadium execution. Among the executed victims that day was Anita. Aunt Lydia then speaks about her initial interaction with Aunts Elizabeth, Helena, and Vidala. Elizabeth and Helena, like Aunt Lydia, were chosen based on their professional backgrounds. Elizabeth had served a female senator, while Helena was a public relations representative for a lingerie company. Vidala was different, as she was part of the coup planning, and was expected to guide the other women spiritually. It was these four women's mission to draft laws for Gilead's women. Aunt Lydia stood her ground, asserting that women should have full control over their sphere. Commander Judd agreed, boosting Aunt Lydia's confidence. She noticed the other Aunts’ flaws and saw an opportunity for advancement by pitting them against each other. She followed three commandments: “Listen carefully. Save all clues. Don’t show fear.” She was so devoted to her duty that she almost believed the ideology they were creating. Commander Judd later apologized to Aunt Lydia for his harsh methods “to separate the wheat from the chaff.” He reassured her that her rifle was loaded with a blank. The section of Aunt Lydia's manuscript ends with an event from the previous day when Aunt Vidala came to inform her about Aunt Elizabeth's worries regarding food offerings at Aunt Lydia's statue being viewed as cult worship. Interestingly, Aunt Vidala confessed she had seen Aunt Elizabeth leaving offerings herself, seemingly to frame Aunt Lydia for promoting the worship.
part 12
After Elijah reveals Daisy's true identity as Baby Nicole, Ada informs her of all the efforts they've exerted to conceal her identity, expressing concern about potential Gileadean spies in Mayday. They then move Daisy to another room where she encounters Garth, who transports them to a safer location. During the journey, Ada reveals to Daisy the details of her escape from Gilead, stating that her mother handed her over to Ada who then ferried her through various terrains until they reached Canada. They reach their destination, a carpet outlet with a hidden shelter, amid news of Aunt Adrianna's death, which was beginning to be suspected as murder. Fearing an imminent Gileadean attack, Daisy's protectors consider relocation options. Elijah presents a plan once used by Mayday involving a Gileadean informant who would send Baby Nicole back to Gilead posing as a recent convert, alongside the Pearl Girls. Despite her apprehensions, Daisy doesn't decline the mission. She undergoes self-defense training with Garth and Ada instructs her on fitting into Gileadean society. Additionally, she gets a tattoo on her forearm illustrating "LOVE" and "GOD" in a cross layout, sharing the "O," as directed by the Gileadean informant.
part 13
Aunt Lydia set up a concealed camera at the base of her statue, with the intention of recording Aunt Elizabeth making an offer. Although there was no activity for a few days, Aunt Vidala unexpectedly showed up on the fourth day and left an egg, an orange, and a lilac-embroidered handkerchief - a symbol associated with Aunt Lydia. Lydia decided to keep the footage for potential use against Vidala and contemplated methods to incite disputes among her peers. A key event nine years earlier involved Aunt Lise reporting an attempted suicide by Becka. According to Lise, Becka was contemplating another suicide attempt if her impending marriage was not cancelled. When questioned about Becka's fear of marriage, Lise revealed her fear of male genitalia. This led Lydia to approve Becka for a temporary stay at Ardua Hall, where she could potentially join the Aunts as a Supplicant after six months. Curious about Becka’s past, Lydia tried to find out if she had experienced any male-related trauma, but Becka was unwilling to discuss it. Regardless, Lydia assured her that the man responsible would face consequences for his actions.
part 14
Agnes was concerned about Becka, but lacked any news of her. Concurrently, her wedding preparations were in full swing. Aunt Gabbana presented three potential suitors: a Commander's son, a young intellectual, and Commander Judd. Agnes understood the decision was not truly hers as they would force her to marry Commander Judd, who held top-tier societal status. That night, she envisioned a horrifying future with each suitor. Given a week to select her husband, Agnes contemplated escape or suicide. She overheard Marthas discussing how brides were often drugged at weddings. By week's end, her engagement to Commander Judd was formally announced. His visit to her house, and his repugnant breath, ignited a nightmarish vision of "an enormous, opaque white blob" chasing her. The arrival of more Aunts marked the commencement of the wedding plans and dress design. As her wedding was two weeks away, she toyed again with the idea of suicide and even murder—taking pleasure at the thought of Paula discovering Commander Judd's lifeless body. Aunt Lydia's unexpected visit was marked by news of Becka's enrollment as a Supplicant. She also hinted that should Agnes feel a calling to join the Aunts, she should seek guidance from Aunt Estée. Fearing Paula might subdue her with drugs, Agnes decided to reach out to Aunt Estée. She cleverly set up a meeting with the Aunt overseeing her wedding dress, then asked her Guardian driver to transport her to her old school. She convinced him by promising him future rewards due to her impending powerful status as Commander Judd's wife. Once at the school, she met Aunt Estée and shared her plight. Aunt Estée agreed to intercede, leading Agnes to a room in Ardua Hall where she saw a book for the first time. Becka, now Aunt Immortelle, entered the room and explained the steps Agnes must take to become a Supplicant. When Paula arrived at Ardua Hall to demand Agnes's return, Agnes acted mad, following Becka's advice. Aunt Lydia stepped in and said something to Paula that made her back off. Subsequently, Agnes passed her initial interviews with the founding Aunts and was officially invited to remain at Ardua Hall.
part 15
Aunt Lydia reflects on the vital knowledge she has collected from the concealed microphones in Ardua Hall. She remembers how she was able to listen in on a significant conversation when Becka finally revealed to Agnes the traumatic experiences with her father, Dr. Grove, that led to her fear of men. Despite knowing that many powerful men in Gilead acted atrociously without punishment, Aunt Lydia felt that Dr. Grove's actions required punishment. Aunt Lydia later invited Aunt Elizabeth for tea, asking her if she identified more with the fox or the cat from Aesop’s Fables. Aunt Lydia used these animals to symbolize different ways of responding to danger. Uncertain, Aunt Elizabeth chose the cat. Aunt Lydia, satisfied with her response, told her about Aunt Vidala’s attempt to set her up for the statue offerings. Aunt Elizabeth appreciated the revelation of Aunt Vidala’s deceit. In return, Aunt Lydia requested Aunt Elizabeth to falsely testify about a certain matter.
part 16
Daisy, now under the pseudonym "Jade," teamed up with Garth, dressed in threadbare garb and ventured into the city. Their plan was to live as street-dwellers, feigning an abusive relationship to draw the attention of Pearl Girls missionaries. Garth guided Daisy on imitating the lifestyle of homeless people. She found it hard to say things she didn't mean, but the Pearl Girls' kindness and their insistence on taking her in made her genuinely cry. Garth, however, shooed the Pearl Girls away to avoid Daisy looking too easily swayed. The duo spent the next few days shifting sleeping spots and surviving on fast food. On the fifth day, the Pearl Girls returned. Daisy acted as though Garth was abusive, leading the Pearl Girls to strike a deal to purchase her freedom. Garth disappeared without a farewell, and Daisy went with the missionaries to their apartment. There, they fed her, let her bathe, and provided new clothes. They detailed her new role as a Pearl Girl to exit Canada. After a few days of arranging travel documents, Daisy and a missionary flew to Gilead. Upon landing, a group of men met them. Daisy was warned not to make eye contact. Her attention was on their uniforms, but she could feel their scrutinizing stares. A car took the women to Ardua Hall, where a ceremony was in progress in the chapel, celebrating the return of Pearl Girls and their new recruits, the "Pearls." Aunt Lydia addressed the congregation from the pulpit, then asked the Pearl Girls to introduce their Pearls. Daisy's missionary companion led her to the front, where Aunt Lydia blessed her and welcomed her.
part 17
Aunt Lydia notes her terror that her efforts to bring down Gilead may not succeed, causing the oppressive regime to endure for centuries. She, however, finds solace in rare instances of "small mercies" like the recent public execution, the Particicution, presided over by Aunt Elizabeth. The victims were an Angel found guilty of smuggling lemons and a man named Dr. Grove. Aunt Lydia describes the elaborate scheme orchestrated by Aunt Elizabeth to convict Dr. Grove. Pretending to be a victim, she staged a rape scene during a dentist appointment. Despite Dr. Grove's strong denial of the allegations at the trial, his receptionist, already suspicious of his actions, testified against him. Aunt Lydia and Commander Judd observed as the crowd of Handmaids violently executed Dr. Grove. When Judd questioned his guilt, Lydia confirmed that while he didn't assault an Aunt, he was guilty of molesting girls, thus deeming them unfit for marriage. She then discretely informs Commander Judd of Baby Nicole's arrival in Gilead. She intends to withhold the truth about Nicole's identity until she is fully acclimated to Gilead's society.
part 18
Agnes remembers the first time she and Becka met Daisy, known as Jade, at a ceremony for the Pearl Girls. Daisy's introduction to Gilead was brutal, as she witnessed Dr. Grove's public execution the very next day. Agnes stood beside Becka, who fainted from the shock of seeing her abusive father's death. Becka felt guilty, believing Aunt Lydia discovered her secret from Agnes. This made Agnes realize how the Aunts held power through secret knowledge. After the execution, Aunt Lydia took Daisy to Becka and Agnes' room in Ardua Hall. Agnes sensed their calm lifestyle there was about to drastically change. When Agnes first arrived at Ardua Hall, Aunt Lydia had let her stay with Becka. It was Becka who helped Agnes choose her new name - Aunt Victoria. Becka shared that the books they read weren't as fearsome as she had imagined and her acceptance into the Aunts was not guaranteed. She also spoke of an Aunt named Lily who had been severely punished for wanting to live alone and had later drowned herself. In the following six months, Agnes learned how to read and write with Becka's help. She soon understood that literacy led to more queries rather than answers. After half a year, Agnes passed her test and was officially a Supplicant. Despite the excitement, her faith was rattled when Becka told her that the Bible didn't concur with their school lessons. While reading Judges 19–21, Agnes found the Aunts' interpretation of the Concubine’s story misleading, causing her to question her beliefs. Becka coped with her own doubts by choosing to believe in either Gilead or God. Three years later, Agnes found a secret file detailing the death of Paula’s first husband on her desk. It implied Paula had murdered her husband and blamed the Handmaid, and she had been involved with Commander Kyle even before their spouses died. For two years, Agnes received similar files exposing Gilead's powerful figures, including Commander Judd. She didn't know who was sending her these files, but she understood their knowledge granted her power. Agnes aspired to become a full Aunt.
part 19
Aunt Lydia narrates an incident where Aunt Vidala ambushed her in her personal study in the library, leading her to hastily hide her manuscript. Vidala voiced her fears about Jade, Daisy's alias in Gilead, suspecting the newcomer to be a Mayday spy. Vidala hinted at her intention to question the girl, but Aunt Lydia countered, hinting that she favored a more subtle approach. Subsequently, Aunt Lydia visited Commander Judd’s residence to discuss matters with him. She was welcomed by his new spouse, Shunammite, who was not in good health. She offered to seek his approval to have her medically examined at a clinic. Upon entering the Commander’s office, Aunt Lydia observed a provocative 19th-century painting of a girl, a variety of books which included biographies of Napoleon and Stalin, and exquisite editions of Dante's Inferno and Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. She then communicated Aunt Vidala's anxiety over Daisy to the Commander, questioning Vidala's reliability in the process. She subtly proposed that he allow Shunammite to be admitted to the Calm and Balm Clinic for medical attention. Implicitly, she offered to eliminate Shunammite at the clinic, relieving him of any suspicion. In a confession to her reader, Aunt Lydia admits that she is at a crossroads, debating whether to proceed with her plan to utilize Daisy to topple Gilead or surrender Daisy to Commander Judd for a chance at more power. She ponders over the feasibility of forsaking her plan for revenge after having come so far.
part 20
In this section, Agnes and Daisy's personal accounts start blending together. Daisy describes Gilead as a perplexing and ominous place. She recalls being terribly disturbed by a public execution she saw when she first arrived, prompting her to wonder whether her Handmaid mother had also been as wild and unruly as the Handmaids she saw. Further, Agnes's account reveals the difficulties she and Becka faced in acclimating Daisy to Gilead's norms. Daisy's lack of appreciation for her meals and her carefree talk of trimming her green locks shocked them, particularly Becka who reminded her of a biblical verse about a woman's hair being her pride. Daisy admits in her account that she felt alienated and fear-ridden, with no one to turn to. She also fretted about the possibility that "the source" Ada and Garth mentioned might not even exist, implying that she could be stuck in Gilead indefinitely. Agnes expresses further disapproval of Daisy's unconventional manners and disrespect for religious beliefs. Moreover, Daisy's tattoo, which she claimed signified her religious conversion, troubled Agnes more as Daisy had once called God a figment of imagination. Agnes also noticed Daisy's intense physical workouts, presumably to ward off intrusive men. Agnes was receiving classified documents and one day, she discovered a file containing her own family history, which unveiled startling information that her mother had another child, Baby Nicole. This revelation left her both thrilled and baffled. Aunt Lydia eventually called for Daisy and disclosed herself as the source in touch with Mayday's Canadian agents. She implanted a microdot into Daisy's tattoo. A couple of days later, Agnes and Becka were summoned to Aunt Lydia's office where they encountered Daisy. Aunt Lydia then shared that Daisy was Baby Nicole, Agnes's sibling. She also revealed that the once noble Gilead was now thoroughly corrupted, a fact that Agnes and Becka should understand given the secret documents they'd been receiving. Next, Aunt Lydia outlined a plan to get Daisy out of Gilead. While Agnes and Becka had their Pearl Girls missionary work approaching, Daisy would take Becka's spot and escape to Canada with Agnes.
part 21
Aunt Lydia recounts some worrisome encounters. Initially, Aunt Vidala objected to Agnes and Becka's Pearl Girls mission work, wary about Agnes's illegal viewing of her Bloodlines file and its potential implications on her ideological resistance. Aunt Helena then arrived to similarly report Agnes's file reading. Lydia insinuated that Vidala might have given Agnes the document and asked Helena to monitor Vidala's activities. Subsequently, Aunt Elizabeth relayed that Ardua Hall's print shop had been raided by Eyes and Angels, confiscating the Pearl Girl pamphlets. Lydia met with Commander Judd, who disclosed that an Ardua Hall insider was communicating with Mayday operatives through microdots on the brochures, prompting the raid in search of evidence. Lydia defended the print shop's Aunt but voiced her recent suspicions about Vidala. However, the lack of solid proof and other officials questioning his effectiveness, led Judd to propose putting Baby Nicole (i.e., Daisy) in the public eye and announcing her engagement to him.
part 22
Aunt Lydia informed Agnes, Becka, and Daisy about the raid on their print shop and Commander Judd's intention to propose to Daisy on television. They revised their escape plan, deciding that Agnes and Daisy would depart early the next day, following a pre-planned route to Canada. Daisy was to leave a note pretending she had eloped, and Becka would hide to avoid suspicion. Later, Aunt Lydia provided everything the two girls needed for their journey. Despite their efforts to convince Becka to accompany them, she insisted that travelling in a group larger than two would draw attention. Before leaving, Agnes and Becka declared their love for each other. As Agnes and Daisy embarked on their journey, they ran into Aunt Vidala. Daisy used her Mayday training to incapacitate Aunt Vidala and they left her unconscious behind Aunt Lydia's statue. Worried about Aunt Vidala's fate, they hastily boarded the waiting car to Portsmouth, New Hampshire. In Portsmouth, they swapped their Pearl Girl attire for jeans and shirts. During this dressing change, Daisy's tattoo was painfully caught on the fabric. A man then drove them to their next stop. As they travelled, Agnes found herself reminiscing about her early life and missed Zilla, Rosa, and Vera. In the dead of the night, they were directed towards a motorboat on a river. This boat silently led them to a larger ship, the Nellie J. Banks.
part 23
Aunt Lydia shares her experience of visiting Aunt Vidala in the ICU. She learns from another Aunt that Vidala's recovery is not guaranteed. As the nurse departs, Aunt Lydia discreetly takes a little vial of morphine. During lunch, Aunt Helena mentions the absence of Agnes and Becka. Aunt Lydia suggests they might be fasting in preparation for their Pearl Girls journey. When Daisy's absence is noted, Aunt Lydia hypothesizes she's unwell. Aunt Helena inspects the dormitory and discovers a note from Daisy stating she's run off with a plumber. Aunt Lydia surmises that Daisy encountered the plumber while he was responding to a complaint about the dormitory's lack of bathwater.
part 24
Daisy shares their escape story on the Nellie J. Banks, a fishing boat bound for Canada from Gilead. They were directed towards a secure hideout below deck by the captain, in case of an unexpected inspection. While on the boat, Daisy and Agnes rested, awakening to large waves rocking the boat. Daisy, feeling nauseous and suffering from an infected tattoo, expressed her resentment towards God for her turmoil. Agnes proposed that maybe this was all part of God's plan. Daisy realized Agnes had a more optimistic view of their mission, believing it was to cleanse and rescue Gilead. Daisy, however, wished for total destruction: "Burn it all down." Agnes narrates her concerns for Daisy who was feverish due to her infected arm, and the boat having engine issues. The strong current threatened to redirect them back to Gilead, a dangerous situation for the captain who could potentially be accused of smuggling women. As Daisy's fever worsened, she questioned Agnes about the possibility of meeting their mother. Agnes was hopeful but Daisy reminded her that shared blood is not a guarantee of love. Agnes prayed for them and their allies, Aunt Lydia and Becka. Later, they were informed they needed to abandon ship. Despite being in Canadian waters, the boat couldn't safely reach the shore or the planned rendezvous point. Dressing in warm attire, they were helped onto an inflatable boat. As the fishing boat retreated, Daisy tried to navigate the inflatable one across the waves as instructed to avoid being swept back to Gilead. But when the motor died, and her infected arm rendered useless, she taught Agnes how to row with the emergency oars. Despite the situation, Daisy assured Agnes they would survive if they tried.
part 25
Aunt Lydia documents the turmoil following Agnes and Daisy's flight. Whispers circulate in Ardua Hall attributing Aunt Vidala’s stroke to an assault. Doubts surface over the veracity of Daisy’s fake marriage note. Unlike other key Gilead figures, Commander Judd was aware of Daisy's true identity as Baby Nicole, leading to a panic-stricken summoning of Aunt Lydia. She took pleasure in his unease and stalled for time. She remarks: “One is always buying something.” The Works Department's investigation into dormitory water scarcity led to the discovery of Becka's drowned body in the rooftop water tank. The other Aunts were quick to condemn her, with many claiming they had always suspected her dishonesty. Aunt Lydia, saddened by Becka's passing, delivered a eulogy suggesting that Becka may have fallen or fainted while attempting to repair the malfunctioning tank. The atmosphere at Ardua Hall became increasingly tense as suspicions arose over the early departure of two Pearl Girls. Word later came that Agnes and Daisy were sighted at a Portsmouth, New Hampshire bus station. Commander Judd surmised that Daisy was a planted spy and commanded a search. Aunt Lydia feigned regret for failing to recognize Daisy's true character. The Commander warned that both their lives and reputations were hanging in the balance. This sparked a memory in Aunt Lydia of a past incident where she was forced to shoot another woman. She ponders, “A bullet, or no bullet?” and decides, “A bullet.” Aunt Lydia visited Aunt Vidala, who, according to Aunt Elizabeth, hadn't spoken since the incident. After dismissing Aunt Elizabeth, Aunt Lydia firmly commanded Aunt Vidala to wake up. Aunt Vidala responded by threatening Aunt Lydia with hanging for her actions. As Aunt Lydia reached for a morphine vial, Aunt Elizabeth returned to retrieve her forgotten knitting. Aunt Lydia claimed Aunt Vidala had spoken, accusing Aunt Elizabeth of assault and collusion with Mayday. A frightened Aunt Elizabeth denied the allegations, and Aunt Lydia attempted to console her. As Aunt Lydia left, she slyly suggested Aunt Elizabeth suffocate Aunt Vidala with a pillow, making it appear as an asthma attack and eliminating any future accusations from Vidala. Aunt Lydia was secretly pleased to be resolving the issue with both colleagues simultaneously.
part 26
Agnes and Daisy managed to reach the shore where Ada and Garth met them. Daisy, weakened from fever and exertion, collapsed and was air-lifted to a refugee medical facility where she was given life-saving treatment. Regaining consciousness, Daisy was greeted by Ada who informed her of the successful mission and her newfound fame on the news. The incriminating documents hidden within her tattoo had been exposed to the public by Canadian media. Daisy asked about Becka, mentioning she had heard her voice on the beach. Falling back to sleep, upon her next awakening, Agnes informed her that their mother had arrived and the three women shared a heartfelt embrace.
part 27
Aunt Lydia once more ponders who might be reading her words in the future. She envisions a bright, hardworking academic woman who will scrutinize her manuscript and create a truthful depiction of her life. She reveals her sorrow at not being around to witness Gilead's downfall and shares her plan to end her own life using a bottle of morphine, should she be pursued by the authorities. As she concludes her narrative, she reiterates a phrase by Mary, Queen of Scots: “In my end is my beginning.” She visualizes this phrase as a wall decoration.
epilogue
The book wraps up with the edited notes from the Thirteenth Symposium of Gileadean Studies, held in June 2197 in Passamaquoddy, Maine. Professor Maryanne Crescent Moon sets the stage, mentioning Passamaquoddy's historic importance as a haven for refugees escaping Gilead and its earlier role in the Underground Railroad. Next, keynote speaker Professor James Darcy Pieixoto steps up. Pieixoto starts by acknowledging Crescent Moon's recent appointment as association president and expressing regret over inappropriate humor he used at the last symposium. He revisits his previous presentation about the discovery of tapes believed to be from the Handmaid “Offred”. While some experts questioned the tapes' validity and timeframe, Pieixoto asserts that multiple independent studies have since validated his original beliefs. Pieixoto then introduces two fresh finds. The first, a handwritten document called “The Ardua Hall Holograph,” was found hidden in an old book by Cardinal Newman. Carbon tests suggest it comes from the Late Gileadean era. The document appears to be the work of “Aunt Lydia”, a name mentioned in the footlocker tapes and several known Mayday debriefings. Despite the possibility of forgery, Pieixoto believes the preponderance of evidence points to Aunt Lydia as the real author. Supporting this belief are two other documents containing the accounts of two sisters who were part of Aunt Lydia’s plan to sneak secret papers out of Gilead. The sisters’ successful mission caused the “Ba’al Purge,” which weakened the upper class and signaled the beginning of Gilead’s end. The testimonies were found by a graduate student in a university library, misfiled under an unrelated title. She believes Mayday members must have recorded the testimonies. While Pieixoto urges skepticism, he presents compelling evidence supporting the documents' credibility. He also proposes that the sisters' mother may be the voice behind the “Handmaid’s Tale” tapes. Pieixoto's lecture concludes with the unveiling of an inscription on an ancient statue of a girl in a Pearl Girl dress. The inscription honors “Becka, Aunt Immortelle” and commends the “invaluable services provided by A. L.” It says that the statue was commissioned by “her sisters Agnes and Nicole and their mother, their two fathers, their children and their grandchildren.”
