When finishing the book, The Handmaid’s Tale, the part I found myself questioning the most was this execution. I found it rather odd that the women attending the Salvage are not able to know the crimes of which these three women are accused of. Aunt Lydia states on page 275, “… It has been the custom to precede with the actual Salvagings with a detailed account of the crimes of which the prisoners stand convicted. However, we have found that such a public account, especially when televised, is invariable followed by a rash, if I may call it that, an outbreak I should say, of exactly similar crimes…” This quote makes me feel that the women of Gilead are not good enough or trusted enough to know what their fellow Handmaid’s did. I feel it is another way the government keeps the people pushed into the ground; by having them think they aren’t good enough or trusted enough to hear the truth. It’s another way for the men running the system and the rich women for that matter (Aunt Lydia, who obviously knows the truth) to remind the rest of the women they are the unimportant ones in the greater scheme of things. I know, if I was in Offred’s position, I would want to know the truth on what actually happened; if the death of these women were actually justified or something minor and blown out of proportion.

The man who was beaten to death by the Handmaids, his reason for death was explicitly stated by Aunt Lydia on page 278. “This man, has been convicted of rape. He was once a Guardian. He has disgraced his uniform. He has abused his position of trust. His partner in viciousness has already been shot….I might add that this crime involved two of you and took place at gunpoint. It was also brutal. I will not offend your ears with any details, except to say that one woman was pregnant and the baby died.” I’m not sure exactly when his reasoning for death was stated and the woman’s reason was not said. Maybe it shows that men can handle the truth and not get copycat ideas in their heads like women might. Also maybe, showing that men are more emotionally stable than women. I’m not sure!!