Why Are They Called Marthas In The Handmaids Tale Meaning

In Margaret Atwood’s dystopian novel *The Handmaid’s Tale*, every title assigned to women under the regime of Gilead carries symbolic weight. Among these roles, “Marthas” occupy a quiet but essential position within the domestic order. They are not as visibly oppressed as Handmaids, nor as politically marginalized as Unwomen, yet their existence is tightly controlled. But why are they called Marthas? The answer lies in a blend of religious symbolism, historical context, and social critique that reflects the deeper mechanisms of control in Gilead.

The Origin of the Name: Biblical Roots

The term “Martha” originates from the New Testament, specifically the Gospel of Luke (10:38–42), where Martha is depicted as the sister of Mary and Lazarus. In this passage, Martha is preoccupied with serving and preparing food while her sister Mary sits at Jesus’ feet, listening to his teachings. When Martha complains that Mary isn’t helping, Jesus responds by affirming Mary’s choice to prioritize spiritual engagement over domestic labor.

In Gilead, this story is reinterpreted through a patriarchal lens. Rather than seeing Martha as someone whose service distracts her from enlightenment, the regime glorifies her domestic role. Women named Marthas in *The Handmaid’s Tale* are assigned to household work—cooking, cleaning, and maintaining the homes of high-ranking officials. By naming them after the biblical figure, Gilead sanctifies servitude, framing it as a pious, divinely sanctioned duty for women who do not bear children or hold political power.

“Gilead uses religion not as a path to salvation, but as a justification for hierarchy.” — Dr. Lena Peterson, Literary Scholar of Dystopian Fiction

Social Hierarchy and Gender Roles in Gilead

Gilead’s society is rigidly stratified, with each woman confined to a specific function based on age, fertility, and perceived moral purity. The naming system reinforces this structure:

• Handmaids – Fertile women forced into reproductive servitude.
• Wives – Elite women married to Commanders; symbolize status but lack autonomy.
• Aunts – Enforcers who indoctrinate and police other women.
• Marthas – Domestic servants responsible for cooking and housekeeping.
• Unwomen – Those deemed expendable, sent to the Colonies.

Marthas wear green dresses, distinguishing them from the red cloaks of Handmaids and the blue robes of Wives. Their color symbolizes nature and sustenance, aligning them with nourishment and upkeep rather than reproduction or authority. Unlike Handmaids, Marthas are often older or infertile, which removes them from the central obsession with childbearing—but also confines them to invisibility.

Tip: Pay attention to clothing colors in *The Handmaid’s Tale*—they serve as visual cues for social rank and assigned roles.

Symbolism and Irony in the Role of the Marthas

The irony of naming domestic workers after Martha is multilayered. In the original biblical narrative, Martha seeks validation for her labor, but Jesus gently rebukes her, suggesting that contemplation holds greater value. Gilead flips this message entirely: contemplation is dangerous, especially for women. Instead, obedience and service are elevated as virtues.

Moreover, the real-life Martha was a hostess and caregiver—roles now stripped of dignity and turned into institutionalized servitude. The Marthas in the novel have no personal names, no families, and little agency. Yet, they often possess quiet forms of resistance. For example, Rita, a Martha in the Commander’s household, displays subtle defiance through her cold demeanor toward Offred and occasional exchanges that hint at shared skepticism about Gilead’s legitimacy.

Their kitchens become spaces of muted rebellion. It is often through Marthas that information slips through the cracks—extra butter, whispered warnings, or access to forbidden items. Though bound by their roles, they retain fragments of autonomy, making them complex figures rather than passive background characters.

Historical Parallels and Real-World Context

Atwood has repeatedly emphasized that nothing in *The Handmaid’s Tale* is invented without precedent. The concept of Marthas draws from real historical systems where women were relegated to domestic labor under religious or societal mandates.

• In 19th-century America, African American women were often employed as “domestics” or “maids,” frequently referred to by first names like “Martha” or “Jane”—names that erased individuality.
• In Puritan communities, women’s spiritual worth was often tied to their ability to manage households and support male religious leaders.
• Even today, migrant domestic workers in many countries face systemic dehumanization, living in employers’ homes with limited rights—a reality echoed in the lives of Gilead’s Marthas.

By resurrecting the name “Martha,” Atwood critiques how patriarchal regimes repurpose religious narratives to justify exploitation. The title becomes a tool of erasure, replacing identity with function.

Comparison of Female Roles in Gilead

Role	Dress Color	Primary Function	Fertility Status	Autonomy Level
Handmaid	Red with white wings	Childbearing	Fertile	Very Low
Wife	Blue	Status symbol, household management	Often infertile	Low (ceremonial power only)
Martha	Green apron over beige	Cooking, cleaning	Infertile or post-menopausal	Low-Moderate (some informal influence)
Aunt	Brown	Training and surveillance	N/A (celibate)	Moderate (within system)
Unwoman	Gray	Labor in toxic colonies	Any (rejected)	None

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Marthas allowed to speak freely in Gilead?

No. While Marthas have more mobility than Handmaids, they are still subject to strict rules. Conversations are monitored, and any deviation from protocol can result in punishment. However, they sometimes use coded language or silence as subtle resistance.

Can a Handmaid become a Martha if she’s no longer fertile?

Possibly. Though not explicitly stated, it’s implied that women who lose their fertility may be reassigned to lower-status roles. If not made an Unwoman, transition to a Martha-like position would be a logical outcome within Gilead’s functional hierarchy.

Do Marthas have families in Gilead?

Rarely. Most Marthas appear to be isolated, with no mention of children or spouses. This separation ensures loyalty to the household they serve and prevents emotional attachments that might inspire dissent.

Tips for Understanding Symbolic Names in The Handmaid’s Tale

Tip: Trace each character’s name back to its religious or historical source. Atwood uses naming as a form of ideological control—understanding the origin reveals deeper layers of oppression.

• Analyze the biblical references behind titles like Rachel and Leah, Jezebel, and Martha.
• Consider how color coding reinforces gender and class divisions.
• Look for moments when characters break role—even silently—to spot resistance.
• Compare Gilead’s structures to real-world authoritarian or theocratic regimes.
• Reflect on how language is weaponized to normalize injustice.

Conclusion: Why the Name Matters

The term “Martha” is far more than a label—it is a mechanism of control, a distortion of faith, and a reflection of enduring gender inequalities. By invoking a biblical figure associated with service, Gilead sanctifies the subjugation of women who do not conform to the ideal of motherhood. Yet, within the silence and routine of their labor, Marthas embody quiet resilience. They remind us that even in the most oppressive systems, humanity persists—in glances, in withheld words, in small acts of care.

Understanding why they are called Marthas deepens our grasp of *The Handmaid’s Tale* not just as fiction, but as a warning. It challenges readers to examine how language, religion, and tradition can be manipulated to justify inequality—and to recognize the modern echoes of such systems in our own world.

💬 What other symbolic names in The Handmaid’s Tale deserve deeper analysis? Share your thoughts and interpretations in the discussion below.