The Testaments

The Testaments

by

Margaret Atwood

Sons of Jacob Term Analysis

The Sons of Jacob refer to the original men who destroyed the United States Congress and overthrew the country, erecting Gilead in its place. Commander Judd is the only Son of Jacob explicitly named in the story.

Sons of Jacob Quotes in The Testaments

The The Testaments quotes below are all either spoken by Sons of Jacob or refer to Sons of Jacob. For each quote, you can also see the other terms and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Religious Totalitarianism and Hypocrisy Theme Icon
).
Chapter 20 Quotes

To pass the time I berated myself. Stupid, stupid, stupid: I’d believed all that claptrap about life, liberty, democracy, and the rights of the individual I’d soaked up at law school. There were eternal verities and we would always defend them. I’d depended on that as if on a magical charm.

Related Characters: Aunt Lydia (speaker)
Page Number: 116
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 29 Quotes

What good is it to throw yourself in front of a steamroller out of moral principles and then be crushed flat like a sock emptied of its foot? Better to fade into the crowd, the piously-praising, unctuous, hate-mongering crowd. Better to hurl rocks than have them hurled at you. Or better for your chances of staying alive.

Related Characters: Aunt Lydia (speaker), Anita
Page Number: 178
Explanation and Analysis:
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Sons of Jacob Term Timeline in The Testaments

The timeline below shows where the term Sons of Jacob appears in The Testaments. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 2: Transcript of Witness Testimony 369A
Religious Totalitarianism and Hypocrisy Theme Icon
Gender Roles Theme Icon
Truth, Knowledge, and Power Theme Icon
Choice Theme Icon
...the special class of girls from wealthy families, “pre-chosen” to some day marry Commanders or Sons of Jacob . Although Agnes does not think she is pretty, she feels especially “chosen” since her... (full context)
Chapter 12: The Ardua Hall Holograph
Religious Totalitarianism and Hypocrisy Theme Icon
Gender Roles Theme Icon
Lydia recalls the past: she was arrested right after the Sons of Jacob “liquidated Congress” in a sweeping terrorist attack. A state of emergency was declared; American citizens... (full context)
Chapter 24: The Ardua Hall Holograph
Religious Totalitarianism and Hypocrisy Theme Icon
...repurposed police station. Inside, sitting at a boardroom table, she met Commander Judd of the Sons of Jacob . Judd asked Lydia if she was thankful to be alive and to be a... (full context)