The Handmaid's Tale Chapter's 30-39: June's Jejune Jubilation

    As the novel progresses, June's relationships with the Commander, with Moira, and with Luke are developed in a turn for the worse. There are now more hints that the commander does not think much of June except another Handmaid to enjoy as indicated by taking her to some sort of club and then spending the night with her with her not not altogether willing participation. In a rather perturbing way June's night with the Commander manages to be more disturbing then the Ceremony despite the build up and increased organic involvement, as if being genuine makes the situation more imaginable. Moira comes back in a strip club, the complete opposite place to where one would probably expect her to be considering her characterization as a strong, independent woman who dislikes men. There she wears some sort of a cheap bunny outfit and is seen just trying to survive, no doubt showing how ideals mean nearly nothing in a society in which livelihood has to be fought over. Luke, although not making a scene in the present, is seen in the past once more during the time when the escape attempt fails.
     Further unsettling is the mention of June's daughter being seen in the car just before the failed escape and then later in a white dress in a photo awaiting marriage, communicating the cold calculation that Atwood uses by giving little tidbits of information about characters, getting one involved with a character especially with a particularly interesting scene right before dashing those hopes when the character ends up in a situation some might describe as worse than death. June's mother is also all but confirmed to be dead given that she is confirmed by Moira to be in the Colonies cleaning up toxins until her body collapses. Even Janine loses her baby, apparently for the second time. Basically Atwood relay a depressing series of snippets that involve her characters with negative situations.
     Perhaps the only positives are Rita's now just barely casual talk with June and Serena's partnership with June to try and help fulfill the Handmaid's duty. However, the rest of the book will probably pick up considering that the final stretch is within sight. It seems unlikely that the resolution will be as gloomy given the importance of balance in a book that seems to be littered with troubling symbols. Apparently, June has all but accepted her fate, putting on only a facade to keep up appearances. To the very least June no longer seems bent on mentioning power every chance she can do it.