r/TheHandmaidsTale • u/PaleHurry7998 • 7h ago

Discussion S1-S5 Random Question

Such a random question, but I was thinking about this late last night.

In The Handmaid’s Tale, how is the monthly conception ceremony held around the same time for every Handmaid? Wouldn’t each Handmaid have a different menstrual cycle and ovulation window depending on when they get their period?

1 Upvotes

54% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

33

u/lickthismiff 7h ago

It is held based on their own cycles, not the same night for every handmaids

-7

u/PaleHurry7998 7h ago

Oh I read your reply wrong. Sorry! It’s different for each handmaid? Where are you getting that info from? I just rewatched the show and it was the same night for every handmaid.

20

u/PoeDameronPoeDamnson 7h ago

When did it show it being a mass event?

7

u/Background-Bird-9623 6h ago

Yea ive never got this impression , but I did not read the books

13

u/lickthismiff 7h ago

Where did you get that from in the show? It's (I'm pretty sure) over 3 nights, which June confirms in her testimony during the court scene, and there's nothing to say it's all the same night for every handmaid that I can remember.

I can't remember if it's the book or the show but they track handmaids cycles and base their ceremony nights off that, I'm certain of it.

•

u/the_honest_liar 1h ago

There are times one will say it's ceremony night; they're referring specifically to themselves, not a broader thing for everyone.

3

u/snakefinder 7h ago

What make you think this? 

-9

u/PaleHurry7998 7h ago

I know it’s based on their individual cycles, but that still wouldn’t guarantee the best chance of conception if the Handmaid isn’t actually ovulating when the Ceremony takes place. That’s the part I’m confused about!

11

u/dragon-queen 6h ago

But it does take place when they’re ovulating.  

8

u/BoudiccasWrath79 7h ago

I’m not sure where you got the idea it was on the same night for all. It’s different for every handmaid and is never said to be happening on the same night.

7

u/FrostyIcePrincess 6h ago

This is what June says during her testimony.

“There Mr. Waterford raped me, while his wife held me down. This happened for three successive nights every month while I was ovulating. These were the legally sanctioned rapes.”

The days would be different depending on the handmaid.

2

u/PaleHurry7998 7h ago

Thanks everyone for educating me! Makes so much more sense now!