“They figure you've got three years maximum.”
The Colonies are penal colonies in areas contaminated by pollution and radioactive waste[2], former war zones[3], or agricultural regions[3]. Gilead, using the system devised by Commander Joseph Lawrence, often sends women convicted of various crimes, known as Unwomen, to the Colonies, to punish them. A quarter of the prisoners in the Colonies are male[4].
Origin of the Colonies[]
In the Testaments, Aunt Lydia alludes to a nuclear meltdown being the cause for the Colonies. When discussing how the United States fell, she states "why hadn't someone decommissioned those atomic reactors before it was too late?", pointing to some sort of nuclear plant explosion or collapse that created the Colonies.
Situation of Prisoners[]
The prisoners there wear grey clothing. The Colonies are known to have horrific living conditions, with prisoners or Unpeople sent there being used as slave labor. Those sent to the Colonies often die quickly from sickness brought on by the pollution, poor living conditions, malnutrition and over-exertion, with most dying after three years. Being sent to the Colonies is regarded by many as a fate worse than death, and the mere mention of them can instill great dread in the characters. It may be the case, but others may say the reverse.
The Colonies are watched and policed by Guardians, though the Aunts primarily act as overseers and slave drivers.
Geographic information[]
Areas in green are locations of colonies.
While the actual location of the Colonies are not stated, various maps seen in the show demonstrate the colonies are located in Arizona, Arkansas, California and Missouri.
Former Handmaids in the Colonies[]
Some women who were convicted of serious crimes, such as being an intellectual, or a gender traitor, but were still fertile, willingly chose to become Handmaids over being sent to the Colonies. It is mentioned that Handmaids that fail to conceive are eventually declared Unwomen and sent off to the Colonies, leading many Handmaids to take risky measures in an effort to get pregnant and be spared such a fate[5].
Notably, after being shown a video of the Colonies by Aunt Lydia, the once-rebellious and outspoken Moira Strand chooses to become a prostitute at Jezebel's rather than be sent to the Colonies. She notes that a dress code is enforced in which all laborers are made to wear grey uniforms. She theorizes that this is done for the purpose of humiliation. Prisoners who fail and or refuse to do their tasks and or follow harsh orders from the Aunts and Guardians are severely punished, and if they continue their insubordination, they are executed[4].
At least in Boston and the surrounding area, the prospect of being sent to the death camps no longer exists after the deaths of many Handmaids and the disappearance of many children, but they may still be sent to the Breeding Colonies.[6]
Other Causes for Deportation[]
Homosexual men can be sent to the Colonies ("gender treachery")[4].
In the the Hulu adaptation of The Handmaid's Tale, a Wife named Mrs. O'Conner is sentenced to penal radioactive labor in the Colonies for adultery[7].
Agriculture[]
It is mentioned in the Epilogue that while most are sent to the horrific areas, if one were lucky, they could be sent to do less hazardous tasks, such as picking cotton or harvesting 100% self-sufficient food. It is unsure if this is actually true in the TV series.
Magdalene Colonies[]
The breeding Colonies are a new innovation after the escape of 86 children. With Handmaids no longer being considered disposable enough to kill or be sent to death camps, these new Colonies involve a Handmaid laboring in the fields, with a Commander and Wife visiting her once a month to perform the Ceremony.[6]
Notes[]
All of the colonies in the western US, except for LA, are located in areas where nuclear power plants lie (or lay) in America. This could be a clue showing that some sort of harsh nuclear meltdown created the colonies.
References[]
- ↑ To Offred, in XII Jezebels, Section 38
- ↑ Subtitles in a Hulu video clip.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 XII Jezebels, Section 38
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Jezebels, Section 38
- ↑ Waiting Room, Section 11
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "The Crossing"
- ↑ Unwomen (Episode)'