The purpose of the indoctrination centers is clearly demonstrated by the quote: "Some women believed there would be no future, they thought the world would explode. That was the excuse they used, says aunt Lydia They said there was no point in raising Aunt Lydia's nostrils: how wicked They were lazy women, she said. They were sluts. The voice is pious, condescending, the voice of those who have the duty to tell us unpleasant things for our own good women who have gone through menopause or who are infertile called "Aunts" were chosen to train the Handmaids since, being women, they would be more trusted by the Handmaids. The Aunts try to convince the Handmaids that society as they know it now is much better than before. They claim that "women were not protected then. Women lived by a set of unwritten rules: "Do not open the door for a stranger" or "Do not stop on the road to help a driver who is pretending to be in trouble." Now, in Gilead, women can go on the road safely. Aunt Lydia rationalizes these changes as the difference between “freedom from” and “freedom to”: “Back in the days of anarchy, it was the freedom to. Now you are given freedom from. Don't underestimate him” Aunt Lydia is described as slightly psychotic, but the "freedom from" she offers often seems almost calming. Being free from the fear of rape would be a wonderful thing. Forcing men to act respectfully doesn't seem so bad. We can observe this attitude on our campus, where the student government hosts a "night walk" every few years. During these routes, dangerous areas are demarcated and reported to the Physical Plant and the campus police. In response, bushes and trees next to sidewalks are being demolished to deter possible attackers who may be hiding within them. Multiple halogen lamps are installed. More foot patrol officers cover potential trouble spots. Every year the campus looks less like a university and more like an armed camp, but we accept these ugly alterations to our environment in the name of security. It doesn't seem like such a high price to pay. The Handmaid's Tale Character Study - Aunt Lydia In the Republic of Gilead, Aunt Lydia works in the Red Center as one of the female control agents known as "Aunts".".