Answer:
The normal order of things as the household gathers for the ceremony in "The Handmaid's Tale" can be described in the following steps given below.
Step-by-step explanation:
1. Preparation: Before the ceremony, the Handmaid gets ready by washing and grooming herself. This is to ensure cleanliness and readiness for the ceremony.
2. Assembling in the Commander's house: The Handmaids gather in the living room or a designated space in the Commander's house. They wait for the Commander and his wife to arrive.
3. Arrival of the Commander and his wife: The Commander and his wife come into the room, usually accompanied by other household staff members such as Marthas. They take their seats, and the ceremony is about to begin.
4. Ritual introduction: The Handmaids are called one by one to enter the room and stand before the Commander. The Handmaid then recites her assigned phrase, indicating her willingness to participate in the ceremony.
5. The Ceremony: The Handmaid is led by the Commander's wife to the bedroom where the ceremony will take place. The Handmaid undresses and lies down on the bed. The Commander performs sexual intercourse with the Handmaid while his wife watches.
6. Completion of the ceremony: Once the ceremony is finished, the Handmaid gets dressed and returns to the living room. The Commander and his wife may leave the room, or they may stay for a while before dismissing the Handmaids.
It is important to note that the ceremony is a monthly event where the Handmaids are required to engage in sexual acts with their assigned Commanders in order to bear children for infertile couples. This practice is a central theme in the dystopian society depicted in "The Handmaid's Tale."