The Reason Behind Ofglen 2's Tongue Removal in The Handmaid's Tale

Ofglen 2 is a character who appears in the earlier seasons of The Handmaid's Tale. Her tongue being removed is a shocking moment in a series known for its brutal scenes. The show is based on Margaret Atwood's book from 1985, portraying a United States that has lost concepts of fairness, justice, and equality after a Second American Civil War. Under a theocratic and totalitarian regime, fertile women are enslaved and called Handmaids, facing severe oppression.

Although the focus of the Hulu series is on June "Offred" Osborne's time in Gilead, the lives of other characters are also explored. Through flashbacks that contrast the past with the present, characters like Ofglen 2 are given depth. Ofglen 2 is first introduced to June in season 1, episode 2, "Birth Day", appearing unexpectedly after the original Ofglen is taken captive by Aunt Lydia. Despite being a recurring character only in seasons 1 and 2, Ofglen plays a crucial and disturbing role in the storyline when she faces punishment.

Ofglen 2 Had Her Tongue Cut Out For Defying Aunt Lydia

Aunt Lydia Punished Ofglen 2 For Refusing To Stone Janine

Ofglen 2 had her tongue cut out by Aunt Lydia between seasons 1 and 2 of The Handmaid's Tale. In the season 1 finale, "Night", Aunt Lydia gathers the handmaids to stone someone who put a child in danger. The culprit is revealed to be Janine, and despite the rules, Ofglen 2 defies Aunt Lydia by refusing to stone Janine. This act of rebellion leads to Ofglen 2 being beaten by guards, but it also inspires the other Handmaids to drop their stones, saving Janine.

Aunt Lydia warns of reprisals, which are revealed in season 2. In episode 4, "Other Women", June is brought back to Fred Waterford's home after her escape attempt. At a party, she learns from Alma that Ofglen 2 had her tongue removed as punishment for her defiance in the season 1 finale. The removal of Ofglen 2's tongue serves as a brutal reminder in Gilead about the consequences of speaking out of turn.

Ofglen 2's punishment reveals the cruel and twisted nature of Gilead. Despite rarely speaking out against the regime, she lost her voice when she dared to oppose Aunt Lydia and the system. Her simple plea, "Aunt Lydia, come on! We can't do this! Seriously?! Guys, this is insane! I'm not gonna do it. I'm not gonna kill Janine. Okay?" was met with a severe punishment.

Ofglen 2's Real Name Was Lillie Fuller

She's almost pleading not to harm her friend, even though it doesn't make a difference. She has criticized Aunt Lydia, Gilead, and the entire system as insane. Gilead cannot tolerate this defiance and ensures, or at least they think, that she will not be able to defy them again.

Lillie Fuller Finds a New Life in Gilead

Lillie Fuller, known as Ofglen 2 in Gilead, used to be a drug addict who engaged in risky behavior to support her addiction. Since the takeover, she has a safe place to stay, regular meals, and a semblance of a caring family. Lillie's story is important in understanding The Handmaid's Tale, as it shows that the oppressive society of Gilead was not solely the work of a few powerful individuals.

There were many dissatisfied, lonely, and forgotten people in America who saw Gilead as a chance to survive, even if it meant giving up freedoms. To someone like Lillie, who had faced hardship throughout her life, Gilead seemed to offer a sense of stability. This is why her defiance against Aunt Lydia holds so much significance. Even those who benefit from Gilead's structures can recognize the absurdity of its rules and laws.

Lillie had the option to stay silent and accept a life that, in many aspects, seemed better than her previous one. However, she made the courageous decision to stand up for Janine. It takes bravery to challenge an unjust and seemingly unbeatable system. It requires even more courage to acknowledge that one's beliefs may have been misguided. Lillie's refusal to participate in Janine's stoning exemplifies a powerful act of upholding a righteous ideal in The Handmaid's Tale.

Ofglen 2 Died Bombing The New Rachel And Leah Center

Ofglen 2 Retaliated Against The Commanders

In season 2, episode 6, "First Blood", the New Rachel and Leah Center is finally open, which will be able to process more Handmaids. The Commanders and the Handmaids all attend a grand opening party in celebration, but festivities are cut short towards the end. As the Handmaids all stand in line against a wall, Commander Fred gives a speech about the building. Suddenly, Ofglen 2 steps out of line, faces the other Handmaids, and reveals a detonator in her hand. As everyone panics, Ofglen 2 storms into the assembly hall and clicks her detonator, setting off a massive explosion.

The following episode reveals that the explosion killed 26 Commanders and 31 Handmaids. Without a tongue, Ofglen 2 is unable to say why she did what she did, but it's clear that from the moment she stood up for Janine until her death, she had become an even fiercer opponent of Gilead. Once, happy to live her life as a Handmaid, enjoying the relative safety and ritual of her position, Ofglen 2 could no longer avert her eyes to the abuse of the society she belonged to.

Ofglen 2 Is Played By Canadian Actor Tattiawna Jones

At one point, she was only willing to abstain from orders and voice her dissent, but Gilead took that away from her. Unwilling to compromise her beliefs and what she knew to be right, Ofglen 2 did not allow her inability to talk to lessen her ability to fightback. Her bombing of the New Rachel and Leah Center was an attack on the Aunts, the government, the oppressive system, and anyone who believed they could silence her simply by removing her tongue.

Tattiawna Jones: A Talented Television Actor

Tattiawna Jones portrays Ofglen 2 in The Handmaid's Tale. Originally from Canada, where the popular Hulu series is mainly filmed, Jones is known for her work in both television and film. Some of her memorable film roles include Denise in Dragged Across Concrete, Violet in Tully, Charlie Freemont in Under the Christmas Tree, and Dr. Amelia Black in The Broken Hearts Gallery.

Jones is best known for her work in television, where she has taken on recurring roles and been a part of main casts in popular series. Some of her notable roles include Winnie Camden in Flashpoint, Isabelle Slotter in Strange Empire, and Simone Lightbourne VII in The 100. In addition to these, she has also appeared in smaller roles in shows like The Handmaid's Tale, Station Eleven as Lara, Transplant as Julia Baranski, and Orphan Black: Echoes as Emily.

Don't miss out on watching Jones showcase her talent on Hulu!

Editor's P/S:

The article's exploration of Ofglen 2's character in "The Handmaid's Tale" is a powerful and thought-provoking journey. Her defiance against the cruel Gilead regime, despite the severe consequences, highlights the courage and resilience of the human spirit. The removal of her tongue as a punishment serves as