The Handmaid's Tale Wiki
Don't have an account?
Register
Register
The Handmaid's Tale Wiki
The Handmaid's Tale Wiki: Blessed Be the Fight
588
pages
in: Phrases, FBVideos, Citations needed,
and 3 more

Changes: Martha

Back to page
Edit
No edit summary
mNo edit summary
Tag: Visual edit
(3 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 21: Line 21:
   
 
In the novel, it is also implied that most Marthas are ethnic minorities, such as African-American or Latina, displaying Gilead's further discrimination against women who belong to minority groups; in the television series, one of the featured Marthas, [[Rita]], is herself played by a woman of color. Marthas are sometimes assisted in their tasks by their household's [[Handmaid]]. They provide food for the Handmaids as well.
  
In the novel, it is also implied that most Marthas are ethnic minorities, such as African-American or Latina, displaying Gilead's further discrimination against women who belong to minority groups; in the television series, one of the featured Marthas, [[Rita]], is herself played by a woman of color. Marthas are sometimes assisted in their tasks by their household's [[Handmaid]]. They provide food for the Handmaids as well.
  +
−
{{FbVidRight|707486906337021|300|Marthas in the TV Series}}
 +
{{FbVidRight|707486906337021|200|Marthas in the TV Series}}
 
Marthas often gossip amongst each other, and are usually quite friendly with each other. It is even implied that they have a[[The Marthas' Network| communication network]] of their own. They can be somewhat prejudiced, and derogatory, towards Handmaids, though. If the [[Wife]] they serve has children, then Marthas may help in the rearing, acting as a nanny. Many Marthas look forward to this, because, among other reasons, it may be the only chance they will have to raise a child as if it were their own.
  
Marthas often gossip amongst each other, and are usually quite friendly with each other. It is even implied that they have a[[The Marthas' Network| communication network]] of their own. They can be somewhat prejudiced, and derogatory, towards Handmaids, though. If the [[Wife]] they serve has children, then Marthas may help in the rearing, acting as a nanny. Many Marthas look forward to this, because, among other reasons, it may be the only chance they will have to raise a child as if it were their own.
   
Line 41: Line 42:
 
* [[Maureen]] (TV series)
  
* [[Maureen]] (TV series)
 
* [[Maggie]] (TV series)
  
* [[Maggie]] (TV series)
  +
* Wanda (TV series)
  +
* Lorraine (TV series)
  +
* Helen (TV series)
  +
* Reese (TV series)
  +
* [[Zilla]] (The Testaments)
  +
* [[Vera]] (The Testaments)
  +
* [[Rosa]] (The Testaments)
   
 
== References ==
  
== References ==

Revision as of 14:18, 27 January 2020

That maybe 20 year-old boy can tell me to do anything, break my jaw, and no one would say boo.

A Martha about her legal position in the society[1].

Marthas are a social class of women in the Republic of Gilead. They serve as domestic servants to the families of Commanders, or serve the state in domestic industries, such as working in laundries.

Attire

Marthas usually wear green outfits, often with an apron over the top. They also wear headscarves to cover their hair. 

Role

Marthas serve as servants, and housekeepers. They clean the houses, go shopping, and cook and serve meals for the high-ranking family they've been assigned to. Most Marthas seem to be infertile, low-ranking, and unmarried women; events in season 3 ("Chicago Women") suggest Marthas to be Unwomen who still appear to be "useful" for domestic tasks due to their pre-Gileadean occupation[2]. For instance, a former chef was reclassified as Martha and assigned to "Jezebel's" as kitchen maid[3].

Since women in Gilead aren't principally allowed to hold down a job [4], a Martha's service is unlikely to be officially renumerated; yet they are given tokens [5].


In the novel, it is also implied that most Marthas are ethnic minorities, such as African-American or Latina, displaying Gilead's further discrimination against women who belong to minority groups; in the television series, one of the featured Marthas, Rita, is herself played by a woman of color. Marthas are sometimes assisted in their tasks by their household's Handmaid. They provide food for the Handmaids as well.


Marthas in the TV Series

Marthas often gossip amongst each other, and are usually quite friendly with each other. It is even implied that they have a communication network of their own. They can be somewhat prejudiced, and derogatory, towards Handmaids, though. If the Wife they serve has children, then Marthas may help in the rearing, acting as a nanny. Many Marthas look forward to this, because, among other reasons, it may be the only chance they will have to raise a child as if it were their own.

It is implied by Offred that if a Martha lives past her "prime", she is sent to The Colonies, where she is ensured certain death[citation needed].

Known Marthas

References

  1. ↑ Episode 2.9, "Smart Power"
  2. ↑ Episode 3.3, Useful
  3. ↑ Beth's retrospects in Jezebels and Mary and Martha
  4. ↑ Episode 1.3, Late
  5. ↑ Episode 1.1, Offred (TV Episode)
Community content is available under CC-BY-SA unless otherwise noted.