The Power of Music in a World Without- Playlist

Handmaid’s Tail Playlist The Power of Music in a World Without

Control by Halsey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=so8V5dAli-Q - This song by Halsey explores the themes of bodily autonomy and power within someone’s body. It also circles in on manipulation over someone’s body. The key lyrics in the song discuss wanting control and then losing it, this mirrors Offred’s experience in Gilead. The Words “Find who I am again” relates to the handmaids being stripped of their identities to be put in a box. Offred says “To be seen is to be penetrated” These themes highlight all the handmaids’ feelings when it comes to their responsibilities. The power that is held above their heads by the commanders and wives. It reveals a hunting dystopian essence to the song and book, about women, their bodies and mind manipulation in all of Gilead.

Sad Girl by Lana Del Ray- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvm6DpqqbLk&list=RDjvm6DpqqbLk&start_radio=1 This song’s exploration of being trapped in a predetermined role resonates with the handmaid’s situation. As Lana describes feeling locked into a specific identity and relationship dynamic, just like the handmaids are forced into roles defined by their fertility. The song’s undercut of preformative femininity also connects to how Offred must perform a very specific way in Gilead. Being compliant with the rules and regulations of the society while hiding their true identities. Offred reminisces on times where she didn’t have to hide herself. The memories of those she loved and the feeling of being close to something. Lana highlights the point of being trapped into a desired relationship, which to me relates to how Offred currently feels with the commander. A quote that highlights the burden of what love or lust has become/ “It’s not about passion or love or romance” This is shared during the ceremony. Additionally, the song’s themes of feeling isolated and emotional numbness reflects on the physiological state of the handmaids. As they are cut off from real desired human connection.

Pink Matter by Frank Ocean- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaLV003llhY&list=RDuaLV003llhY&start_radio=1 Pink Matter is a rather unique spin on Offred’s love life. Reaching in on relationships and physical intimacy which resonates with Offred’s complicated feelings about the various relationships in her life. Like her memories of Luke, her dangerous attraction to Nick, and even the twisted dynamic with the Commander during their private meetings. Like the song, Offred’s narrative often dwells on the tender, confusing aspects of human connection when normal relationship structures have been destroyed. The themes of memory and longing in “Pink Matter” mirror how Offred constantly returns to thoughts of her past life, her daughter, and what genuine intimacy felt like before Gilead. The song’s dreamy, introspective tone captures that same quality of mental escape that Offred uses to survive, retreating into memory and imagination when the present becomes unbearable. In Gilead, she must navigate relationships where genuine emotion is dangerous with Nick, she wonders if their connection is real , with the Commander she performs interest while feeling revulsion. This mirrors the song’s exploration of what’s genuine in intimate connections. Wild Horses by The Rolling Stones- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQTHB4jM-KQ&list=RDSQTHB4jM-KQ&start_radio=1 The song’s central theme of being unable to drag someone away from a situation resonates with Offred’s powerlessness regarding her lost family and friends. In the times she lives in companionship almost seems forbidden. “ I don’t smile, why tempt her to friendship”She cannot reach her daughter or Luke, no matter how desperately she wants to. There’s that same sense of loving someone but being helpless to change their circumstances or bring them back that permeates the song. The idea of enduring through difficult times connects to Offred’s survival strategy throughout the novel. Like the song suggests about weathering storms and staying strong, Offred must find ways to persist through Gilead’s oppression while maintaining hope that things might eventually change. She has to survive the present while holding onto the possibility of reunion. The theme of graceful acceptance mixed with underlying pain reflects Offred’s complex emotional state. She’s forced to appear compliant while internally grieving her losses. There’s a dignity in continuing on despite heartbreak that both the song and Offred’s character embody.

Little Lies by Fleetwood Mac- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCGD9dT12C0 Little Lies is a perfect song for Offred’s meetings with the commander. The song’s exploration of maintaining pleasant falsehoods to preserve a relationship directly parallels how Offred must navigate her evening visits to the Commander’s study. She pretends to enjoy their games of Scrabble, finds interest in his books and conversation, and performs a kind of companionship that disguises her true feelings of disgust. Just as the song suggests telling “sweet little lies” to keep things comfortable, Offred tells the Commander what he wants to hear. The power dynamic in these meetings reflects the song’s theme of using deception as a survival mechanism. Offred recognizes that the Commander wants to feel like he’s special to her, that their relationship transcends the brutal reality of Gilead. The Commander, for his part, seems to tell himself lies about what these meetings represent. He appears to believe he’s offering Offred something meaningful, maybe even romantic, when he’s actually just another form of her oppression dressed up as kindness. These small pieces of self deception perfectly show the meaning of having mutual little lies in order to keep the peace and remain safe.