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Raging on a Gloomy Sunday
The Handmaid’s Tale isn’t afraid to tackle the primal side of survivors of abuse
Preface: I will do my best to avoid major spoilers with season 4 of The Handmaid’s Tale. However, since this season is currently ongoing as of the writing of this episode, it is likely that not all viewers are caught up to the latest episode, s4e8, so please read on with caution if you are not yet caught up.
I have survived numerous types of abusive relationships in my own history. However, I grew up in a home that was not emotionally healthy. I had suppressed, a lot. I grew up being taught that anger was a ‘bad’ emotion and was never taught how to healthily express it (rather, I just swallowed it and it came out with slightly disturbing, sometimes grotesque artwork and poetry, weirdly never alarming my teachers or parents). The Handmaid’s Tale, season 4 (in particular, the latest episode, s4e8 “Testimony”) has shown me that it’s okay to be angry and okay to give your middle finger to the “love and light” so many survivors of abuse have to put up with from the public.
The latest episode (s4e8) explores in a group support group the feelings of rage and primal fury that frequently occur with abuse victims and their feelings towards their abuser. This is catalyzed by an Aunt that had escaped to Canada, pleading with…
