The Handmaid's Tale, #2
The Testaments
by Margaret Atwood
Contents
69
Overview
Agnes and Nicole battle rough seas in an inflatable and narrowly reach land in darkness and fog. Facing exhaustion and fear, Agnes nearly gives up, but Nicole drives them onward and hauls Agnes to safety. They survive the landing yet remain unsure where they are, preserving Aunt Lydia’s mission.
Summary
In darkness and thick fog, Agnes and Nicole are swept out to sea in an inflatable. The waves are high and frigid, soaking them as they row against the fast tide. Agnes fears death and that Aunt Lydia’s evidence will be lost, praying to survive and offering herself if another must die.
Agnes struggles with the oar, cramping and declaring she cannot continue. Nicole insists they keep going and urges her on. Hearing waves against a shoreline, they row harder as a large wave crashes over them.
The boat grinds on gravel and tips; both are thrown into the surf. Agnes scrambles up as another wave knocks her down, and Nicole pulls her over boulders to safety above the waterline. Shivering and numb, they embrace, laugh in relief, and acknowledge they may not know which shore they’ve reached. Agnes silently thanks God for their survival.
Who Appears
- AgnesNarrator; panics and prays during the perilous crossing, struggles to row, then reaches shore with Nicole’s help.
- Nicole (Baby Nicole/Daisy)Encourages Agnes to keep rowing, commands decisive action in the surf, and pulls Agnes to safety on the rocks.