One of the most significant symbols used in the novel “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood is the color red worn by the handmaids. This color is used as a symbol numerous times, to represent different themes surrounding the Handmaids. This color represents a visual reminder of the oppression faced by the women in the world of Gilead. The color red is mentioned numerous times during the novel, and even sits on the cover page of the novel, with the person on the page wearing a red dress.
One of the most prominent uses of this color is seen in the clothing worn by the handmaids. This red dress serves as a reminder of their oppression and their role as breeders in society. The handmaids are required to wear the dress in public, where they
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This shows the sacrifice the handmaids have to make in Gilead society. It is not their choice, they are forced into this role by the patriarchal leaders, giving up their personality, past lives and individuality. They become a hollow shell, in which their only purpose is to bear a child for a commander and his wife.
In today’s society, the color red is mainly associated with blood, child birthing and menstruation, which are directly related to the handmaid's reproductive systems. The red dress is a deliberate attempt to highlight the handmaid’s sexuality and fertility. Wearing red symbolizes the role of producing a child, as only fertile women wear red in their society.
The color red is also used in the novel to symbolize the violence and brutality currently in Gilead. The handmaids regularly attend public executions, where they are all dressed in red. The color red represents bloodshed and violence in their society. The color is also used to show the handmaid’s connection to each other under oppression. When the handmaids participate in the executions, they remove the red dresses, and instead wear white veils, representing the handmaid’s rejection of their