Who is Esther in the Handmaid's Tale?
Esther Keyes is a young character introduced in Season 4 of The Handmaid’s Tale. She is the wife of Commander Keyes and initially appears as a hopeful symbol of escape and resistance against Gilead’s brutal regime. Played by McKenna Grace, Esther stands out as a strong-willed girl who has suffered horrific abuses at the hands of both her husband and the Gileadean Guardians.
Esther’s story is a stark reminder of the countless girls and women who suffer silently in Gilead. Unlike many others, she actively resists and helps June Osborne and other Handmaids, showcasing her courageous spirit amid oppression.
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What Happened to Esther in The Handmaid's Tale?
Esther’s journey is both heartbreaking and tragic. After aiding June and the other handmaids during their escape, Esther is captured and punished. She was forced into the role of a Handmaid herself, enduring further abuse and silencing of her outcry.
In one of the series’ most poignant moments, Esther is scheduled for a hysterectomy, as Aunt Lydia deems her a threat to the “favored” Handmaid Janine. However, the operation is halted because Esther is pregnant — a rare and dangerous state for any Handmaid in Gilead.
The last time we see Esther, she is chained to a hospital bed, carrying the weight of her suffering alone. Unlike some characters, her fate is left unresolved, highlighting how many women in Gilead are forgotten, discarded, or left behind.
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Does Esther Die in the Handmaid's Tale?
No, Esther’s death is not confirmed in the show. She remains alive but in a vulnerable, captive state by the end of Season 4 and does not appear or get mentioned in the final season. This absence is not due to poor writing but rather serves as a powerful narrative choice — a reminder that many women’s stories in Gilead go untold or unresolved.
Esther’s character symbolizes Gilead's “forgotten girls”: those who suffer invisibly and whose fates are unknown.
What Does “Under His Eye” Mean in The Handmaid’s Tale?
“Under His Eye” is a phrase frequently used in The Handmaid’s Tale as both a greeting and a farewell. It reflects the deeply religious and oppressive nature of Gilead, where every action and word is monitored under the watchful gaze of a divine authority.
In Gilead, this phrase signifies that people live constantly observed by their fellow citizens, the government, and most importantly, by God (“His Eye”). It’s a reminder to stay obedient and pure under the ever-present scrutiny of the regime and faith.
What Does the Eye Symbol Mean in The Handmaid’s Tale?
The “Eye” in The Handmaid’s Tale represents Gilead’s secret police force, tasked with surveillance and punishment. The symbol of an eye reminds citizens that they are always being watched and that dissent or disobedience will be met with swift consequences.
The Handmaid's Tale
The Handmaid’s Tale is a critically acclaimed American dystopian drama television series based on the 1985 novel of the same name by Margaret Atwood. Created by Bruce Miller, the show premiered on Hulu in April 2017 and has since become a cultural phenomenon for its chilling portrayal of a totalitarian society called Gilead.
Set in a near-future America where a theocratic regime has taken control, The Handmaid’s Tale explores themes of oppression, gender inequality, and resistance through the eyes of June Osborne (played by Elisabeth Moss), a “Handmaid” forced into reproductive servitude.
Disclaimer:
This article contains spoilers for The Handmaid’s Tale Season 4 and beyond. Reader discretion is advised if you have not yet watched the series.
