Emily Malek: professor to unwoman and beyond
What did they do to Emily in The Handmaid’s Tale? Her life before Gilead
Before the oppressive regime of Gilead stripped away her identity and freedoms, Emily Malek was a respected professor, living a fulfilling life. She was a loving wife to Sylvia, and together they raised their son, Oliver. Their world, though perhaps not perfect, was one of normalcy and familial love. This peaceful existence was shattered when Gilead rose to power, imposing its brutal laws and religious extremism. Emily’s life, like so many others, was irrevocably altered. The simple act of trying to flee to safety with her family at the airport proved to be her undoing, leading to her separation from them and her eventual descent into the horrors of Gilead. This devastating experience laid the groundwork for the immense suffering she would endure.
Her transformation: from wife and mother to handmaid
The systematic dismantling of Emily’s life began with the invalidation of her marriage to Sylvia under Gilead’s draconian laws. As a lesbian couple, their union was deemed an abomination, stripping them of their legal rights and family structure. This led to Emily’s forced separation from her wife and son, a trauma that would scar her deeply. Subsequently, Emily was indoctrinated into the role of a Handmaid. This meant being assigned to various Commanders, taking on designations such as Ofglen, Ofsteven, Ofroy, and Ofjoseph. As a Handmaid, her sole purpose was to bear children for the ruling elite, a role that stripped her of all agency and personal identity. Her former life as a professor and loving mother was brutally erased, replaced by the red robes and the constant fear of punishment.
The brutality of Gilead: Emily’s journey through punishment
The Colonies and redemption: a sentence for her love
Emily’s defiance in Gilead did not go unnoticed, and her punishment was severe and deeply personal. Her same-sex relationship with a Martha led to her lover’s execution and Emily’s own horrific sentencing. She underwent a clitoridectomy, a barbaric procedure intended to negate her sexual desire and punish her for her love. This act of mutilation, designed to be emotionally horrifying rather than graphically depicted, was a profound violation of her bodily autonomy. The showrunners deliberately chose to inflict this punishment on Emily, a white woman, to shock a Western audience and highlight the extreme brutality of Gilead’s control over women’s bodies and sexuality. Her sentence was a brutal attempt to erase her very essence, but it only fueled her resilience.
The attack on Aunt Lydia and the path to escape
Despite the immense suffering inflicted upon her, Emily’s spirit remained unbroken. Her resilience was further tested when she was sent to the Colonies as an Unwoman after stealing a car and killing a Guardian. Even in this desolate wasteland, she found ways to fight back, poisoning a former Commander’s Wife who had been sent there for adultery. However, her journey in the Colonies was cut short when she was retrieved to serve as a Handmaid again, following the bombing of the Red Center. This period culminated in a pivotal moment: her attack on Aunt Lydia. This act of rebellion, fueled by years of abuse and trauma, was a desperate bid for freedom. Crucially, her escape was facilitated by Commander Lawrence, who was secretly involved with the Mayday resistance and saw Emily’s potential as a valuable asset.
Rebuilding life in Canada and the fight for justice
Reunion and the struggle to heal from Gilead’s trauma
Emily’s escape to Canada marked the beginning of a new, albeit incredibly challenging, chapter. She was reunited with her wife, Sylvia, and son, Oliver, a moment many believed would bring immediate solace. However, the deep-seated trauma inflicted by Gilead cast a long shadow over their reunion. Emily struggled to readjust to family life and navigate the complex emotional landscape that followed her experiences. The years of abuse, violence, and dehumanization left her with profound psychological wounds that were not easily healed. The simple act of being a mother and wife again was a battle against the ingrained fear and the memories of her suffering in Gilead.
Continued resistance and pursuit of Mayday
Even after finding refuge in Canada, Emily’s fight for justice was far from over. She remained an active member of the resistance group Mayday, continuing her efforts to dismantle the oppressive regime. Her commitment was evident when she attended protests against Gilead and was briefly detained with Moira, another survivor whose story resonated with Emily’s own. Emily also worked as an aid worker and participated in support groups for Gilead survivors, using her experiences to help others heal. Her dedication to the cause reached a critical point when she returned to Gilead, serving as a Martha in Bridgeport, Connecticut, to continue fighting the regime from within. Her ultimate act of retribution was her involvement in the killing of Commander Fred Waterford in Canada, a symbolic victory and a testament to her enduring fight for vengeance and justice.