When the “Birthmobile” arrives Offred’s excitement is emphasised by the shortening of the phrases and the way the sentences are divided by commas which adds pace to the passage.
The phrase “On this day we can do anything we want” immediately followed by “I revise that: within limits” sums up the event where there is a definite break in regime nevertheless there are still an element of rigidity and strict rules to be adhered to. However Offred’s failure to instantly notice this shows how she has become so used to the inflexibility of the regime and even a slight break in routine is considered, almost, utter freedom.
The importance given to birth is clear in the journey sequence in which the handmaids struggle to contain their excitement. Offred reminisces about how she was taught at the centre that the risk of deformity was high (3 in 4) and also how the birth rate declined massively just prior to the regime due to “chemicals, rays and radiation” which is ironic as, despite the fact that officials know the chance of conception is small, they still put enormous pressure on the handmaids to become pregnant.
Offred’s concern about what it must be like to “go through all that and give birth to a shredder” show how the handmaids are only too well aware of the risks involved and the suffering they have to endure.
Divisions between wives and handmaids are exposed with the handmaids arriving at the birth in a van with curtains against the windows and just benches down both sides where as the wives are transported in state in a van which has real, upholstered seats and isn’t curtained off. After the birth the wives “pig out” on a buffet where as the handmaids are only allowed milk and sandwiches.
The rivalry between the wives and the handmaids is also evident in this sequence. The conversation Offred imagines would occur between the wives when the news of Janine’s pregnancy is revealed cannot be far from the truth when the hypocrisy is revealed. “Little whores the lot of them” - insults are only traded when the handmaids are out the room Offred says “I know the sort of thing that goes on”.
Rivalry between handmaids is also exposed in this part of the novel. Offred’s contempt and vindictiveness is aimed at Janine the suggestion that the handmaid in the van is crying tears of envy or disappointment.
The birth is an occasion for celebration and to have a good time, it is described as a “triumphant day”. Though there it is still formally organised and there are rules to conform to, enforced by the “Guardians” who carry machine guns, despite the ‘freedom’.
It seems that there is a quest for occasions in which to experience enjoyment which acts as therapy in order to relieve the stress and tension which builds up during the ‘normal’ days of the regime. This could be because any grievances which are left to fester can lead to rebellion and threaten the state.
The way all the women gather at the birth while the men “Go wherever men go on such occasions” suggests feminism which is a contrast to the regime and a contradiction after the feminist movement of the 1960s was crushed by the creation of “Gilead”. Offred comments on this by saying
“You wanted a woman’s culture. Well, now there is one.
It isn’t what you meant but it exists.”
The birth is a key element in the book as many themes and tensions are made clear where as without it there may not have been the opportunity for subjects such as the relationship between wives and handmaids to be made clear in a clear manner.