The Handmaid's Tale, #2
The Testaments
by Margaret Atwood
Contents
29
Overview
Aunt Lydia recounts her coercion by Commander Judd: interrogation, a forced execution test, and her bargain that led to founding the Aunts with near-autonomous power. She maneuvers among Elizabeth, Helena, and Vidala, securing influence. In the present, Vidala alleges Elizabeth’s heresy and sabotage via statue offerings, giving Lydia leverage.
Summary
Aunt Lydia describes a recurring nightmare of executing women she once judged, linking it to her real initiation after the Thank Tank: Commander Judd interrogated her about her past and declared abortion and divorce retroactive crimes, then forced a stadium execution test to prove loyalty. Lydia complied, vomiting afterward, and notes one victim was Anita.
The next day, Lydia met Elizabeth, Helena, and Vidala. Judd pitched them as leaders of a separate female sphere to enforce order and reproduction. Lydia demanded operational autonomy—men excluded, judged only by results—and Judd granted near carte blanche, irking Vidala and establishing Lydia’s ascendancy.
Lydia assessed the group: Vidala as ideological enemy, Helena as pliable, Elizabeth as high-born but shaken. The Aunts-to-be devised laws, uniforms, and doctrine, reporting to Judd while he took credit. Lydia admits partial belief for survival. Years later, Judd sought absolution, claiming her rifle had held a blank; Lydia feigned forgiveness.
Returning to the present, Lydia is approached by Vidala, who criticizes offerings at Lydia’s statue as idolatry and waste. In the café, Vidala claims she saw Elizabeth planting eggs to frame Lydia and suggests Elizabeth is a Mayday-linked heretic. Lydia thanks her, plans to inform Judd, and treats enemies as tools.
Who Appears
- Aunt LydiaNarrator; recalls coercion, execution test, secures autonomy over Aunts; manages rivals; gains leverage from Vidala’s accusation.
- Commander JuddInterrogates Lydia, enforces execution test, grants Aunts’ autonomy; later claims her rifle had blanks.
- Aunt VidalaIdeological rival; resents Lydia’s power; accuses Elizabeth of idolatry, sabotage, and possible heresy.
- Aunt ElizabethFellow Founder; fearful and dithery; allegedly plants offerings at Lydia’s statue; suspected of heresy.
- Aunt HelenaFellow Founder; pliable and uncertain; agrees to help shape the women’s sphere.
- AnitaVictim in the stadium execution test; her death underscores Gilead’s brutal initiation.