The Handmaid's Tale, #2
The Testaments
by Margaret Atwood
Contents
59
Overview
Aunt Vidala and Aunt Helena warn Aunt Lydia that Aunt Victoria (Agnes) accessed her Bloodlines file, prompting Lydia to suspect Vidala’s manipulation. Eyes and Angels raid the Ardua Hall print shop, seizing Pearl Girls brochures over microdot trafficking.
Commander Judd pressures Lydia to produce Baby Nicole for propaganda and proposes marrying her, while Lydia hints his current Wife may soon die, preserving their power.
Summary
Aunt Lydia’s day unravels as Aunt Vidala arrives first, questioning the readiness of Aunt Victoria and Aunt Immortelle for their Pearl Girls mission and labeling Aunt Victoria a defection risk. Vidala claims Aunt Victoria has been reading her own Bloodlines file and cites her biological mother’s history to impugn her stability.
After Vidala leaves, Aunt Helena arrives to report the same infraction. Lydia deflects theological fatalism, notes that knowledge of Baby Nicole’s sisterhood was once restricted, and reveals Mayday knows the connection. Lydia instructs Helena to discreetly observe Vidala, suspecting Vidala planted the file to destabilize Aunt Victoria.
Later, Aunt Elizabeth bursts in to report Eyes and Angels have invaded Ardua Hall’s print shop, confiscating Pearl Girls brochures and arresting Aunt Wendy. Lydia moves to protest, but Commander Judd is already in her office, claiming the raid aimed to protect Lydia’s reputation.
Judd explains the regime traced Mayday microdots to brochures circulated by Pearl Girls, though none were found on freshly printed copies; returning brochures from Canada carried Mayday additions. Aunt Wendy is deemed uninvolved and sent to the Calm and Balm Clinic, but Judd warns that both his and Lydia’s standing is collapsing amid Council impatience.
Seeking a rapid redemption, Judd insists Baby Nicole be produced for mass propaganda—television, posters, a rally—and suggests announcing her betrothal to him. Lydia agrees in principle but notes he is married; Judd alludes to his Wife’s health. Lydia hints Shunammite may soon “be released,” tacitly accommodating Judd’s plan while maintaining leverage.
Who Appears
- Aunt LydiaNarrator; manages rival Aunts, suspects Vidala’s sabotage, confronts Judd, and maneuvers around his plan to marry Baby Nicole.
- Commander JuddOrders raid over microdots, demands Baby Nicole’s public return, proposes marrying her; hints at Wife’s failing health.
- Aunt VidalaWarns that Aunt Victoria read her Bloodlines file; disparages her; likely planted the file to unsettle her.
- Aunt HelenaConfirms the Bloodlines breach; accepts Lydia’s directive to watch Vidala discreetly.
- Aunt ElizabethReports Eyes and Angels’ invasion of the print shop and Aunt Wendy’s arrest.
- Aunt WendyPrint shop worker detained during the raid; later deemed uninvolved and sent to the clinic.
- Aunt Victoria (Agnes Jemima)Target of suspicion for reading her Bloodlines; slated for Pearl Girls mission; viewed as a defection risk.
- Aunt Immortelle (Becka)Paired with Aunt Victoria for a Pearl Girls mission; mentioned as inexperienced but less central here.
- Baby Nicole (Jade)Sought for immediate public display; potential propaganda tool and proposed bride for Judd.
- ShunammiteJudd’s ailing Wife; her potential death would clear the way for Judd’s proposed marriage.