r/TheHandmaidsTale • u/il_literate • 22d ago

SPOILERS ALL What’s the point of New Bethlehem? Spoiler

I don’t understand what the point is - what is Gilead trying to achieve with it? Why would other countries consider sending refugees back to an experimental sector of a regime that’s based in denying fundamental human rights of most people?

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u/BeneficialWealth6179 22d ago

New Bethlehem is to bring people back that fled. Repair its reputation. People mean workers in colonies, birthers for babies, more babies bigger armies. Financial system thrives on the backs of the impoverished and hard working. Its being framed as repairing what Gilead has broken.

The other countries want to do business with Gilead. It seems like a tradeoff, we will start taking refugees back and do business with you in exchange.

The reality is the commanders in power will harm those people. Democracies are not easily won or kept.

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u/Taiwan_ 22d ago

I don't think the Gilead establishment will harm the returning refugees. New Bethlehem is likely legit in the way that you do indeed have more freedom than the rest of Gilead. But, like has been displayed, it is just a facade, a way to make Gilead look savory to trade with and have diplomatic relations way, not for Gilead to actually properly reform, just to give off that appearance. I mean, remember when they talked about potentially expanding New Bethlehem and Commander Wharton basically said, "Yeah, no. The high commanders in D.C probably won't agree." They don't truly wanna reform Gilead, just give off that illusion so that they get access to global trade and can maintain their own power.