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The youngest child of eight, Glory Boughton returns to Gilead to care for her dying father. Thirty-eight-year-old Glory struggles to recover from her five-year engagement to a married man and to grapple with her past trauma. She battles the disturbing memories of her last years of childhood while attempting to connect with her estranged brother, Jack.

Glory desires independence. She longs to please her religious father but also lies to him about why she has left teaching. Through her relationship with Jack, Glory begins to question her beliefs. She realizes the influence of her parents who have encouraged pious habits. Jack helps Glory recognize that “faith for her was habit and family loyalty” and not deeper religious conviction (110). She dreams of starting a family of her own but fears that she has lost her opportunity. Although she does not have children of her own, Glory mothers those around her, including Jack and her father. Her maternal instinct leads her to take strong action to defend those she loves. Devastated when Jack leaves forever, Glory remains in Gilead and is set to inherit the family home, despite her longing to move somewhere new to start again. She finds peace with staying in Gilead only after meeting Jack’s estranged wife Della and son Robert at the novel’s conclusion. Hopeful for young Robert’s return to Gilead in the future, Glory ends the novel in thanks and gratitude.