The Testaments

Paula and Commander Kyle make a show of persuading Agnes to choose Commander Judd, since he is the most powerful candidate. Agnes knows that it is easier for parents if their daughter is a willing participant, so they do not have to have her drugged before the wedding. Agnes understands that she doesn’t really have a choice, but she pretends to be deciding. Paula comments that Agnes would outlive Commander Judd, giving her the advantage of choosing her second husband.

Agnes thinks about running away but realizes that she has no idea where to go. She has never learned the geography of Gilead, and lustful men might assault her. She considers as making use of the secateurs that Paula had for gardening, plus other forms of suicide such as hanging, drinking bleach, or stabbing herself. The Marthas are alert to her feelings, though, and carefully guard these implements while making comments about the value of life.

Agnes is engaged to Commander Judd. He comes to visit the family, and Paula holds her hand behind Agnes back, pinching her when she doesn’t respond to Commander Judd’s greeting. He kisses Agnes on the forehead, and she imagines him sucking out a bit of her brain. She pictures a ghastly white blob moving towards her naked body on their wedding night. Agnes is unable speak when Commander Judd says that he hopes to make her happy, despite Paula pinching her harder. Agnes fears that she may throw up, so Paula dismisses her.

The wedding planner Aunts return to measure Agnes for her wedding dress. Aunt Betty asks Paula if Agnes is well, and Paula replies that this is an emotional time. Aunt Lorna recommends the Marthas make Agnes a soothing drink with chamomile, or a sedative. Agnes is measured for new undergarments and a wedding nightgown, “with ribbon bows down the front—so easy to open, like a gift-wrapped package” (227). Paula complains about adding frills to the nightgown or lace trim to the wedding dress. It is clear to Agnes that Paula wants this over with as quickly as possible. They set the wedding for two weeks, as soon as the dress is complete. Agnes thinks to herself that she has only 14 days left to live and wonders how she will spend them.

Agnes grows more desperate as the wedding day approaches. She thinks of Shunammite’s story of a Handmaid who drank drain cleaner. She thinks about murdering Commander Judd on their wedding night with a stolen knife, then killing herself. Agnes knows, however, that these are just fantasies. She remembers Becka’s look of resolve as she slashed her wrists and knows that she could never be that strong.

Three days before the wedding, Aunt Lydia comes to visit Agnes. As she shakily goes downstairs, Agnes wonders what she has done. Agnes thinks it lucky that Paula is out, though present-day Agnes says that she learned later that luck had nothing to do with it.

Aunt Lydia greets Agnes warmly in the living room. She says that she thought that Agnes would like to hear news of Becka. Though she can barely speak, Agnes asks if Becka is dead. Aunt Lydia replies that Becka is safe and happy, at Ardua Hall, as not all girls are suited for marriage and there are other ways that a woman may contribute to God’s plan. Aunt Lydia tells Agnes that there is still time for her to acknowledge a similar calling as Becka’s. Aunt Lydia suggests that perhaps Aunt Estée could intervene on Agnes’s behalf. She assures Agnes that Commander Judd has “lots of choices.”

Cautiously, Agnes searches for a way to meet with Aunt Estée. Agnes asks Paula if she can see Aunt Lorna about her wedding dress again, as Aunt Lorna is at Shunammite’s home fitting her for her wedding dress. Paula agrees. After visiting with Shunammite, Agnes finds Aunt Lorna and asks her to add something to her dress.

Back in the car, Agnes casually asks the Guardian if he can stop by her old school so that she may thank Aunt Estée for all she has taught her. The Guardian balks, since those were not his instructions, but Agnes reminds him that she will soon be married to a very powerful Commander, more powerful than Commander Kyle. Agnes even puts her hand lightly on the Guardian’s and assures him that he will be rewarded. The Guardian agrees, and Agnes thinks to herself that this is how women accomplish their goals.

Aunt Estée sits Agnes down and has her explain everything. Agnes tells Aunt Estée that she will have no future if she marries, and it does not matter who she marries. She swears that she will kill Commander Judd and then herself if she must go through with the wedding. Aunt Estée then asks Agnes if she’d had a call to contribute to the greater good and Agnes readily agrees.

After praying for guidance, Aunt Estée says that she will speak with Agnes’s parents and with Aunt Lydia. Aunt Estée goes out to the Guardian and says she is paying a call on Commander Kyle’s Wife and that Agnes will be coming with her. Aunt Estée calls her own Guardian, and she and Agnes get into her car. Aunt Estée tells Agnes to have faith that everything will be alright.

Aunt Estée is taking Agnes to Ardua Hall, where she will be safe while her parents learn that she plans to become a Supplicant. When they reach Ardua Hall, Aunt Estée takes Agnes past the statue of Aunt Lydia, the first statue Agnes has seen of a woman. Agnes is a bit disappointed that Ardua Hall is not grander, and she is surprised to see writing above the doorways.

Aunt Estée waits in a sitting area with Agnes until warm milk is brought in, then leaves. Agnes is suspicious of that the Aunts may have drugged the drink, so she only takes a sip. She paces around the room nervously, then sees a book on the desk. She looks at the book and wonders what could be so dangerous about its contents.

Agnes opens the book’s cover and looks at the marks on the pages. Becka enters the room. Her new name is Aunt Immortelle, and she is a Supplicant, but Agnes can call her Becka when they are alone. She says that she has heard that Agnes is marrying someone very important. Agnes begins to cry and says that she is supposed to but can’t. Both girls admit that they aren’t sure they have a calling.

To pass the six-month probation period, Agnes will have to clean like the Marthas and learn to read, though reading is harder than cleaning toilets. Agnes picks up the book and asks Becka to read it to her. Becka reads the title. She says that they can ask Aunt Lydia if Agnes can live in her area, where there are two bedrooms empty.

Becka cautions Agnes about saying anything bad about Aunt Lydia, even in private, because she has a way of knowing. Becka whispers that Aunt Lydia is the scariest of the Aunts, as she looks as though she really sees you.

Paula comes to Ardua Hall to retrieve Agnes, and Aunt Lydia says it is only proper to see her. At the Schlafly Cafe, Agnes meets Paula, who is very angry and says that Agnes has dishonored her father. Paula insists that God would not choose someone like Agnes. She demands that Agnes return home. Agnes smashes her cup on the floor, almost yelling that Paula’s sins will find her. Becka had suggested she act crazy so Paula wouldn’t want to risk marrying her to someone of high status.

Paula says that the Aunts need Commander Kyle’s permission to keep Agnes there, and he will never give it. Aunt Lydia comes in the cafe and asks to have a word with Paula. Agnes cannot hear their conversation, but Paula looks sick when Aunt Lydia has finished. Paula leaves without saying goodbye to Agnes, and Commander Kyles signs the papers that afternoon.

Becka preps Agnes for her interviews with the Founding Aunts. In her interview with Aunt Elizabeth, Agnes says that she is against marriage in general and that she is praying for Commander Judd’s happiness with some other Wife. Agnes wishes to consecrate herself in service to all women in Gilead rather than to one man and one family. Aunt Elizabeth approves of her words and Agnes thanks her profusely. Aunt Helena gives it no thought, as Lydia has already approved.

Aunt Vidala had not liked Agnes in school, so the interview is difficult. Aunt Vidala accuses Agnes of abandoning her duty and the laws of Creation by not marrying and bearing children. Agnes obsequiously says that she will work hard and that she hopes, through grace and prayer, to someday be sufficiently sanctified, though she could never dream of reaching the level of sanctification shown by Aunt Vidala herself. Aunt Vidala comments that Agnes displays an appropriate level of meekness and may be of service to the Ardua Hall community.

As Agnes enters her office, Aunt Lydia congratulates her on overcoming the obstacles in answering her call. Aunt Lydia asks again if Agnes is positive that she does not want to marry Commander Judd and when Agnes says that she does not, Aunt Lydia pronounces that a wise choice.

Agnes is surprised, having expected another lecture on her moral duties. Aunt Lydia says that she is sure that Agnes would not have made a fitting Wife for Commander Judd and that she has already proposed that Shunammite marry him. Agnes confirms that Shunammite will be grateful for this change in arrangements.

Aunt Lydia says that the Aunts have accepted Agnes and she welcomes her to Ardua Hall. She says that she hopes that Agnes is grateful for her help and Agnes replies that she truly is. Aunt Lydia says that perhaps someday Agnes will be able to help her in return.