"Joyous Life" - A deconstruction of Serena Joy (The Handmaid's Tale)

The bone-chilling reality created by Margaret Atwood in The Handmaid's Tale represents a sorrowful future, a future where women lose their rights to a fundamentalist regime of power-hungry men. Even the wives of these “Commanders” remain in the shadows; convinced that their fraction of an influence is respected. One of the wives, Serena Joy Waterford, answers to her high-ranking husband, Fred Waterford, who work in tandem to abuse their Handmaid's, women who are subject to government-sanctioned rape in order to repopulate the earth. Serena plays a role in the experience of the main character, June Osbourn, who attempts to survive as a Handmaid under her roof. Serena alongside her husband, creates an atmosphere of hate and violence for June. There isn't a day that lacks the essence of hell.

As the show progresses, the countless evils of Serena Joy are unveiled as a manifestation of her broken soul. You can't help but wish the most sinister of outcomes for her. However, she is a victim of the system just like the Handmaids. That isn't to say that we should excuse her abuse, but it begs the question, what happened in her childhood that became the blueprint for Mrs. Waterford?

“Joyous Life” follows the upbringing of Serena before the United States was taken over. She was raised by religious parents in a home that valued tradition, purity, and fear of God. Her family values weren't as severe as the grim future, but they laid the foundation for how she would evolve. In her youth, Serena was a well-meaning and kind individual who sought the salvation of others. At school, she would shine as an example of God's light through proselyting, conservative clothing, and clean language. As you can imagine, this portrayal wasn't received well by her peers, leading to a flurry of bullying. That only strengthened her faith as she reminded herself about the ridicule Jesus Christ experienced.

At the peak of her teenage years, Serena met a boy whom she secretly liked, but in good conscience couldn't pursue as he was an atheist. Despite the cognitive dissonance this brought, she maintained a friendship with the boy and bottled her feelings up. She found a sense of happiness in this new companion that she never felt before. The more time they spent together, the more she welcomed passion into her heart. One night they met at the carnival and rode the Ferris Wheel together. At the peak of its rotation, the wheel came to a stop and Serena found herself in a situation that most girls her age dream of. The boy, who had deep feelings for Serena, took a chance and kissed her softly, igniting the feelings she had previously chained down. It felt wrong, but at the same time, everything that could be right in the world.

Unfortunately, her relationship with this boy was short-lived. The morning after, Serena was awoken by her mother who had nothing but rage behind her eyes. A kid at the carnival witnessed the kiss that Serena shared with the boy and broke the news to her mother. This was the first of many times that Serena would be subject to physical abuse from a parent. Bruises, scrapes, and damaged hearing marked the profound disappointment she brought to her family. Being an only child in a religious home, Serena had a reputation to uphold, which held her prisoner in a cycle of violence.

In her mid-twenties, she met her husband Fred. Initially, she felt relieved being with a man of similar values, but her love for Fred couldn't compare to the fire sparked by the boy. She spent the next few years under the guise of a self-righteous warrior for God. Deep down she knew there was more for her, but how could she question the doctrine that was ingrained through the scars of her past?

This brings us back to the events of The Handmaid's Tale where Serena was the finished product her mother wished for. Her story tells a tale of hate, love, pain, and fear. It explores the idea of how religious abuse can diminish compassion and alter someone's very being. Even though she continued the cycle of abuse, it is important to expand upon her upbringing as it speaks for countless other women. If someone were there to advocate for her, is it possible that she could've lived a life of peace?