"And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die. And Jacob's anger was kindled against Rachel; and he said, Am I in God's stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb? And she said, Behold my maid Bilhah, go in unto her; and she shall bear upon my knees that I may also have children by her" (Genesis 30:1-3).
A new society is created by a group of people who strengthen and maintain their power by any means necessary including torture and death. Being surrounded by rules that must be obeyed because of being afraid of the torture that will be received. No other choices exist because control loads over what is done: whom you see and talk to, and has taken you far away from your family. You have no money or way out. The new republic of Gilead takes it laws to an even higher level because these laws are said to be of God and by disobeying them you are disobeying him. People are already likely to do anything for their God especially when they live in fear of punishment or death. The republic of Gilead is created and maintains its power structure through the use of religion, feminism, laws that isolate people from communication to one another and their families, and the fear of punishment for disobeying the law. .
Religion is used to put fear into the eyes of the people in Gilead about going against God because they will be punished. The newly formed society follows law that women must obey all men. In this male dominated society, religion moves up to a whole new level. Even though men are dominant, the women still have one power: society cannot continue unless women bear a child. "But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ." (1 Cor. 11:3). The women could also be infertile; but a man could never. If this happens, the women are thrown out and a new handmaid will come take her place.