The Rachel and Leah Center is the focal point of the book. Every thing that happens in The Handmaid's Tale stems from the "Red Center," because this place implements all the changes that occur regarding the women. Atwood used a very strong setting for the handmaids. The thought of this place as I read the book was horrifying. The brainwashing was particularly disturbing. An example would be when Janine was at the center and Testifying. She was telling about how she was gang raped when she was fourteen. The Aunts forced the women to chant at her. "Whose fault was it? In unison, "Her fault, her fault, her fault." And why did God let such a thing happen? "To teach her a lesson, teach her a lesson, teach her a lesson"." Eventually Janine broke down and said that she deserved the pain, that it was her fault. This imagery is sharp and painful. This brainwashing makes the rest of the book possible. Without this device, the book would not have been as effective. .
Atwood uses the Red Center as a recurring theme. Nearly every other chapter goes back to scenes at the center, revealing more and more of the disturbing brainwashing that they call "training." The songs that they sang " make me fruitful make me empty to be filled," were horror tactics that Atwood used. .
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This all relates to what Offred's Commander said on page 211. ""We thought we could do better." "Better?" Offred says. The Commander replies, "Better never means better for everyone. It always means worse, for some." " .
The Handmaid's Tale is not a pretty story. It is about control and power. The Eyes have the control and the power. The women are degraded to a state of living to the equal of animals, that they should be grateful for what they have instead of acknowledging the unjust way they are treated. .
