Warning: Contains SPOILERS for The Handmaid’s Tale season 6, episode 4!
Commander Lawrence’s book quote is a thematically pivotal part ofThe Handmaid’s Taleseason 6, episode 4, and here’s where it’s from and what it actually means. Commander Lawrence is one of the most complex characters in the world ofThe Handmaid’s Tale, with his high position in Gilead juxtaposing his anti-Gileadean views. The story that Lawrence tells to his daughter inThe Handmaid’s Taleseason 4 is another example of this, with it having a much deeper meaning than it seems.
The Handmaid’s Taleseason 6, episode 4, is finally here, carrying on the story of the final season’s three-episode premiere. After making it out of Gilead, June and Moira realize that they have to return, thanks to a new Mayday plan. Meanwhile,Commander Lawrence is continuing to change Gilead from the inside, with him and Serena Joy working on hisNew Bethlehem project.
Lawrence Reads From A Little Princess In The Handmaid’s Tale Season 6, Episode 4
He Is Telling The Story To His Daughter
The Handmaid’s Taleseason 6, episode 4, features a scene in which Commander Lawrence is reading a story to his daughter, with this dialogue again being played over the credits. The book that Lawrence is reading isthe 1905 Frances Hodgson Burnett novelA Little Princess, which tells the story of a young girl who is sent to a boarding school by her British Army Captain father. Lawrence reads his daughter an excerpt from the beginning of the book, with it introducing the story’s main character.
During Lawrence’s original story, the episode cuts to a different scene. Lawrence’s story fades out as Janine appears, showing her getting ready at Jezebel’s. Commander Lawrence and Janine have always had a connection, with Lawrence even revealing later that he had a role in gettingJanine sent to Jezebel’s instead of the Colonies. Thus, this cut implies that the story could thematically tie to Janine.
What Lawrence’s Book Quote Means & Sets Up
How It Connects To Janine
Commander Lawrence’sA Little Princessexcerpt is about a young girl who is resilient in the face of adversity, and this implies that Sara in the book could parallel Lawrence’s daughter. Commander Lawrence’s daughter is actually the daughter of Janine, with theGilead system giving her to Lawrence. Thus, Janine could represent the father fromA Little Princess, sending her daughter away to avoid the hardships that she is living through.
The girl in the book could also represent Janine. The excerpt fromA Little Princesstalks about how the hardships have unfairly matured the protagonist. The same could be said about Janine, as Gilead has robbed her of her freedoms and rights.A Little Princesscould provide answers about the fate of Janine, teasing an exciting ending toThe Handmaid’s Tale.
