There was recently a wonderful film series, made from a wonderful book.  It has been used widely as a representation of many profound political issues.  Clearly, The Handmaid’s Tale has absolutely nothing to do with the swing scene and unicorn hunting.  Absolutely not.  In fact, let’s take a look at just how different being a Unicorn is from being a Handmaid…

Purpose

Unicorn:  She is invited to partake in intimate sexual relations by both the man and woman of a hetero couple, in order to provide them with sexual variety, fulfillment and a sense of prowess

Handmaid:  She is forced to partake in intimate sexual relations by both the man and woman of a hetero couple, in order to provide them with the ‘blessed fruit’ of a child, in order to provide them with fulfillment, social status and a sense of power.

Special Title

Unicorn:  Given a special mythological title, publicly revered, rare and sought after for the unique gifts they bring, yet referred to privately as ‘whores’, mistrusted and controlled by the primary female of the hetero couple, who views them as a threat

Handmaid: Given a special biblical title, publicly revered, rare and sought after for the unique gift of fertility they bring, yet referred to privately as ‘whores’, mistrusted and controlled by the wives of the couple they are forced to stay with, who view them as a threat

The Ritual

Unicorn: There is a large UK swing event, in which halfway through, all the females lie naked and blindfolded in a circle on a giant bed, wherein the men come and select them and stand over them before they can take the blindfold off.  This is called ‘The Ritual’.

Handmaid:  Once a month when ovulation is due, the wife holds her down on the bed, where she copulates with the husband, and may not make eye contact.  This is called ‘The Ceremony’.

Self-actualization

Unicorn: Wants to be seen as an intelligent, sexual equal to both parties.  Is often fetishized by the man, and treated with distrust and utilized by the woman

Handmaid: Seeks to retain elements of being an intelligent, sexual equal to both parties.  Is often fetishized by the man, and treated with distrust and utilized by the woman.

Social Network

Unicorn: Often form social and defensive herds with other unicorns and single females, to retain safety and sanity, sharing information

Handmaid: Permitted only to socialize in controlled manners with other handmaids, where they secretly watch each other and also plot to retain their safety, sanity and share information.

End-game

Unicorn:  Typically disposed of after fulfilling the immediate sexual role required.

Handmaid: Typically disposed of after fulfilling the reproductive role required.

So clearly, there is no similarity at all.

*Photos used from other sources under the umbrella of ‘Satire’.

*With thanks to Miss Roxette, Lady Rope and Lady V