In the Gospels, Martha was one of two sisters. She devoted herself to housework while her sister Mary sat and listened to Jesus. What is the irony...

In the Bible, Martha is chastised by Jesus for worrying over things that are unimportant.  When Jesus comes, Martha chooses to try to prepare for him, busying herself about the house and fretting over all of the things that need to be done.  Her sister, Mary, however, chooses to sit and listen to Jesus's preaching instead.  Martha asks Jesus if he cares that her sister shirked her part of the household responsibilities, leaving her to...

In the Bible, Martha is chastised by Jesus for worrying over things that are unimportant.  When Jesus comes, Martha chooses to try to prepare for him, busying herself about the house and fretting over all of the things that need to be done.  Her sister, Mary, however, chooses to sit and listen to Jesus's preaching instead.  Martha asks Jesus if he cares that her sister shirked her part of the household responsibilities, leaving her to handle them all alone, and he says that Mary had actually chosen the better way to spend her time.  This is ironic because, in The Handmaid's Tale, many women are assigned the duties of a "Martha."  These are the women who clean and cook and keep house for the Commanders and their wives.  Jesus said that this is not a good way for a woman to spend her time, that it would be better spent listening to his teachings, and despite the fact that Gilead claims to be founded upon biblical precedent concerning handmaids, it is clear that no one cares that Jesus admonished Martha.  It's ironic that the leaders of the community would adopt one such precedent and then ignore another.