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Laurie
I know this is an old thread, but just finished the book and am also curious but with a theory.
First, since the sill was painted over, I assume some letters have been filled in so what isn’t there doesn’t really matter.
I assume because of the Times article mentioned in other comments, the N and A G are probably Nicole and Agnes.
The V being Victoria doesn’t make sense since Nicole and Becka called her Agnes when nobody else was around. I think the word “Veritas” was carved but inky the V survived because of the earlier discussion of Latin: “For instance, the motto of everything inside the Wall used to be Veritas, which was the Latin for “truth.” But they’d chiselled that word off and painted it over.” I think they made it across, Agnes chiseled truth, in Latin because “it sounds better” but also because now the truth about Gilead would be exposed.
I think the AL was probably originally thank you AL. Maybe Becka too, but was filled in.
I think the point being that the truth will always be exposed eventually and things will get better. But that truth will also likely be painted over forgotten again.
First, since the sill was painted over, I assume some letters have been filled in so what isn’t there doesn’t really matter.
I assume because of the Times article mentioned in other comments, the N and A G are probably Nicole and Agnes.
The V being Victoria doesn’t make sense since Nicole and Becka called her Agnes when nobody else was around. I think the word “Veritas” was carved but inky the V survived because of the earlier discussion of Latin: “For instance, the motto of everything inside the Wall used to be Veritas, which was the Latin for “truth.” But they’d chiselled that word off and painted it over.” I think they made it across, Agnes chiseled truth, in Latin because “it sounds better” but also because now the truth about Gilead would be exposed.
I think the AL was probably originally thank you AL. Maybe Becka too, but was filled in.
I think the point being that the truth will always be exposed eventually and things will get better. But that truth will also likely be painted over forgotten again.
Lisa
In a bit of an answer to this I’ve found mention of it by Atwood here - https://time.com/5673535/the-testamen...
I don’t think that’s the whole story though. Would love to hear your ideas.
I don’t think that’s the whole story though. Would love to hear your ideas.
Allison
The initials ALMOST spell Vagina. And if the letter L was just wrongly identified (carvings in wood covered in paint almost 200 years later, so it’s entirely possible) you literally have the letters you need. I’m not trying to be silly - it’s a feminist book, so it adds up, doesn’t it? Could it really be a coincidence? I just don’t believe so, with Atwood.
Cecilie Jøhnk
I thought about Malvolio finding the "Love Letter" in 12th Night:
MALVOLIO.
I may command where I adore,
But silence, like a Lucrece knife,
With bloodless stroke my heart doth gore;
M.O.A.I. doth sway my life.
FABIAN.
A fustian riddle!
SIR TOBY.
Excellent wench, say I.
MALVOLIO.
‘M.O.A.I. doth sway my life.’—Nay, but first let me see, let me see, let me see.
FABIAN.
What dish o’ poison has she dressed him!
SIR TOBY.
And with what wing the staniel checks at it!
MALVOLIO.
‘I may command where I adore.’ Why, she may command me: I serve her, she is my lady. Why, this is evident to any formal capacity. There is no obstruction in this. And the end—what should that alphabetical position portend? If I could make that resemble something in me! Softly! ‘M.O.A.I.’—
SIR TOBY.
O, ay, make up that:—he is now at a cold scent.
FABIAN.
Sowter will cry upon’t for all this, though it be as rank as a fox.
MALVOLIO.
‘M’—Malvolio; ‘M!’ Why, that begins my name!
FABIAN.
Did not I say he would work it out? The cur is excellent at faults.
MALVOLIO.
‘M’—But then there is no consonancy in the sequel; that suffers under probation: ‘A’ should follow, but ‘O’ does.
FABIAN.
And ‘O’ shall end, I hope.
SIR TOBY.
Ay, or I’ll cudgel him, and make him cry ‘O!’
MALVOLIO.
And then ‘I’ comes behind.
FABIAN.
Ay, and you had any eye behind you, you might see more detraction at your heels than fortunes before you.
MALVOLIO.
‘M.O.A.I.’ This simulation is not as the former: and yet, to crush this a little, it would bow to me, for every one of these letters are in my name.
MALVOLIO.
I may command where I adore,
But silence, like a Lucrece knife,
With bloodless stroke my heart doth gore;
M.O.A.I. doth sway my life.
FABIAN.
A fustian riddle!
SIR TOBY.
Excellent wench, say I.
MALVOLIO.
‘M.O.A.I. doth sway my life.’—Nay, but first let me see, let me see, let me see.
FABIAN.
What dish o’ poison has she dressed him!
SIR TOBY.
And with what wing the staniel checks at it!
MALVOLIO.
‘I may command where I adore.’ Why, she may command me: I serve her, she is my lady. Why, this is evident to any formal capacity. There is no obstruction in this. And the end—what should that alphabetical position portend? If I could make that resemble something in me! Softly! ‘M.O.A.I.’—
SIR TOBY.
O, ay, make up that:—he is now at a cold scent.
FABIAN.
Sowter will cry upon’t for all this, though it be as rank as a fox.
MALVOLIO.
‘M’—Malvolio; ‘M!’ Why, that begins my name!
FABIAN.
Did not I say he would work it out? The cur is excellent at faults.
MALVOLIO.
‘M’—But then there is no consonancy in the sequel; that suffers under probation: ‘A’ should follow, but ‘O’ does.
FABIAN.
And ‘O’ shall end, I hope.
SIR TOBY.
Ay, or I’ll cudgel him, and make him cry ‘O!’
MALVOLIO.
And then ‘I’ comes behind.
FABIAN.
Ay, and you had any eye behind you, you might see more detraction at your heels than fortunes before you.
MALVOLIO.
‘M.O.A.I.’ This simulation is not as the former: and yet, to crush this a little, it would bow to me, for every one of these letters are in my name.
Eva
I can’t see the clues I. The short video and am wondering if it is a Latin phrase. I am I overthinking it? What have others come up with?
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