45

After a delayed takeoff, Jade flies toward Gilead for the first time. On landing in a hot, windy airfield, she and Aunt Beatrice descend into a double line of black-uniformed men. Told not to meet their eyes, Jade senses predatory scrutiny as the men salute Aunt Beatrice’s “successful” mission.

Driven into the city, Jade notes sparsely populated streets, women in color-coded dresses, Handmaids in pairs, and stores marked only by pictograms. They enter a guarded compound, where Aunt Beatrice urges haste to the chapel for the Thanks Giving ceremony.

Inside the full chapel, Aunts in brown and Pearl Girls in silver gather, each Pearl Girl with a new recruit like Jade. A large Baby Nicole portrait looms at the front as the congregation sings “Bringing in the Pearls,” welcoming the returns.

Aunt Lydia presides, praising the Pearl Girls’ courage and declaring them full Aunts with associated powers. When the Canada mission is called, Aunt Beatrice returns her pearls to a communal dish and presents Jade as a “Pearl of Great Price,” pushing Jade to kneel for blessing and purification.

Aunt Lydia welcomes Jade to Ardua Hall and offers a ceremonial blessing. The congregation echoes the welcome. Though officially accepted, Jade feels alienated and alarmed by the ritual’s control and by the earlier display of male authority, recognizing the peril within Gilead’s strict order.