Q: What is a particution? Why is it especially evil?
The paticution is a group-wide execution that all the Handmaids, except Offred partake in, where they beat two guards accused of rape to death. Atwood describes it as particularly visceral and violent.
“There’s a surge forward, like a crowd at a rock concert in the former time, when the doors opened, that urgency coming like a wave through us…Now there are sounds, gasps, a low noise growling, yells and the red bodies tumble forward and I can no longer see, he’s obscured by arms, fists, feet.” (Atwood 280)
It’s a brutal violent scene, and it especially shows the severe anger that is pent and built up in these women with absolute no outlet to express it. Sadly however, it’s being activated by these people who hold all the power over their lives and bodies; we also know these guards they executed weren’t even guilty of their crimes, they were political opponents . Their actions, which led to the death of a baby, also weren’t punished by the people who hold the power over then either. They put that responsibility on the equally oppressed handmaids, who are clearly affected by the actions they performed and the men they killed. Such as in the case of Janine, who’s put into a state of manic trauma as a result of the particution.
“There’s a smear of blood across her cheek, and more of it on the white of her headdress. She’s smiling, a bright diminutive smile. Her eyes have come loose.” (Atwood 280)
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