Serena Joy

Ex-gospel star on TV (religious)
1. She is a woman of faith who truly believes that women should stay in the home, which scares Offred more
  1. Originally campaigned for the Gilead regime, but now it is obvious she regrets it now as she is left with little to do and is forced to participate in ceremonies and let her husband attempt to impregnate another woman
    1. Despite this, Serena Joy wants Offred to give her a child, even if it is not fathered by her husband.
  2. She is like Offred's mother who wanted a world for women, but didn't realize the consequences
Her real name is Pam but Offred gives her this name to mock her
The wife of the Commander
1. Her attitude is representative of the other Wives and the Commanders who believe that they are above the law. She drinks and smokes with the other Wives whilst Janine gives birth even though it is technically against the law.
  1. Seems to not care about the consequences
Symbol of domesticity, rebellion, indulgance and power
1. During the Ceremony, Serena Joy controls Offred's movements and also digs her rings into Offred in a malicious display of her power over Offred
2. Serena Joy rebels against society by smoking cigarettes, playing music, implying her husband is sterile (which is not allowed as only 'unwomen' are infertile; it isn't the man's fault if his partner can't get pregnant), allowing Offred to have an affair with Nick in order to get pregnant, etc
Vengeful and intimidating
1. She promises to 'get' Offred like she 'got the last one'
  1. She doesn't seem to be the one who reported Offred if the Guardians that came to collect her were real and not part of the Underground Femaleroad. She demands to know what Offred has done that warrants their presence in her home, suggesting she doesn't know why they are there and therefore that she didn't call them
  2. Offred is so afraid that she considers burning the house down or hanging herself so that she doesn't have to live to see Serena Joy's punishment
    1. Past repeating itself
  3. Previous Offred apparently killed herself because of Serena Joy's threat when she discovered she had had an affair with the Commander too
Taboo language (calls Offred a "slut")
1. The use of taboo language shows Serena Joy's deep hatred and anger towards Offred at the discovery that she had an affair with her husband
2. Shows how upset she is that her husband has cheated on her again with a handmaid
3. Uses a lot of blunt, direct imperatives to assert her authority
Capable of kindness on occasion
1. Gives Offred a chance to conceive with Nick
2. Finds and shows Offred a photo of her daughter, but this only aids in saddening Offred since her daughter looks like she's happy and barely remembers her
3. Offers cigarette to Offred

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Serena Joy

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	Created by Holly Austin over 10 years ago