The Handmaid's Tale Six

"There are other women with baskets, some in red, some in the dull green of the Marthas, some in the striped dresses, red and blue and green and cheap and skimp, that mark the women of the poorer men. Econowives, they're called. These women are not divided into functions. They have to do everything; if they can." (33) 

The similar wardrobes of the women in the world created by Atwood and known as Gilead strip them of of their individuality completely. At a glance, one could determine their purpose as well as their rank. The Wives wear blue, the Handmaids wear red and so forth. It is interesting that these colors are chosen for a number of reasons. Red represents birth and death, sex and vitality; achievement. It also represents maintaining physical energy and health, which is extremely important for the Handmaids. Blue is a color used to protect one's reputation, and is the least appetizing of any food color. The Wives generally tend to be middle aged and unappetizing. The term "blue blooded" also comes in to play, because it represents upper-class folks, of which the Wives are. In the American government, red and blue tend to battle it out quite often (red states vs blue states). And on the flag, Red represents valor and hardiness, while blue signifies justice, perseverance, and vigilance. The stars on the flag are like the silver stars above Serena Joy's bed, and they represent the heavens and all the good that people strive for.


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