In The Handmaid's Tale, infertility is linked to another one of Gilead's prominent problems: pollution. As revealed in the season 1 episode "A Woman's Place," inorganic farming and radioactivity are to blame for declining fertility.
What caused infertility in Gilead? In the story, an environmental disaster has led to most women becoming infertile, and the small number who are still able to become pregnant are forced to become handmaids, women who are owned by the ruling elite and systematically raped in order to provide them with children.
It is explained in a flashback that pollution and other factors caused infertility on most women so that only very few could get children.
The Waterfords were previously believed to both be infertile. Fred had failed to get both June and a previous handmaid pregnant, despite many attempts even outside Gilead's "ceremony". Serena was shot in her lower abdomen by a protester in the days before Gilead, and her injuries damaged her reproductive organs.
In the Republic of Gilead, many married couples are unable to have children. The women in these couples are blamed for the couple's infertility and labeled “barren.” It is forbidden to suggest that a man might be sterile.
If, after the third time, they are not able to produce a living, healthy baby, they will be sent off to the Colonies to face certain death. Handmaids that become infertile or reach a certain age without having ever conceived are also sent to the Colonies, as are women who refuse to become Handmaids.
The Handmaid is sent on to the next assignment. By giving birth, she can't be considered an unwoman. But giving birth and giving the child away is painful - it is part of her punishment, the pregnancies and unwanted adoptions part of her repaying her debt to society for her sins.
Fred Waterford Got Serena Joy Pregnant
However, the baby was actually conceived at a time when both Fred and Serena were doubting their decision to create Gilead.
This is to symbolize that they are "of one flesh" and alluding to the Bibical story of Rachel, Jacob and their handmaid Billah, who bore children for the barren Rachel "upon [Rachel's] knees".
As mentioned, Commander Waterford is likely to be infertile as well. If such infertility is rampant among the Commanders, then their handmaids are almost for set decoration.
Wives are usually married to high ranking men in Gilead, such as Commanders, Angels and Eyes. Being a Wife is regarded as a high honor in Gilead. Only women perceived as being 'pure' and moral are given the 'privilege' of marrying. (Handmaids, for example, could never be Wives, due to their controversial nature).
The childbirth scene is primal and intimate and prompts the women to confess their secrets: June tells Serena that she didn't kill her when she had the chance because she simply didn't want to, and Serena realizes she has been forced into essentially being a handmaid in the Wheelers house and begs June to take her baby ...
In the story, an environmental disaster has led to most women becoming infertile, and the small number who are still able to become pregnant are forced to become handmaids, women who are owned by the ruling elite and systematically raped in order to provide them with children.
She is the wife of Luke Bankole and the mother of a young daughter, Hannah. She is also the mother of Nichole who she had with Nick in Gilead.
10 They Must Dress In Teal
Wives are dressed in modest dresses of varying shades of teal/blue, indicative of their supposed 'purity' as non-sinners (compared to the violent, but fertile, shade of red the handmaids wear).
Children are a source of pride within Gilead society. Infertility shows a lack of devotion to god and a personal/moral failing.
A successful pregnancy for a Handmaid means a release, not just for her but for the household she serves. In a moment of businesslike empathy, the narrator understands that Serena Joy would be relieved if she got pregnant and they could stop having Ceremonies.
In Margaret Atwood's „The Handmaid's Tale“, „Blessed be the Fruit“ is a form of greeting between the people of the Republic of Gilead. This encourages fertility in a society where women with healthy reproductive system must produce children for the ruling class of men „Commanders“.
The Wives are taught to hate the Handmaids, simply because the Handmaids can have children. The Handmaids feel even more enmity and fear towards the Wives, since the Wives are willing participants in the monthly ceremony where the Handmaids are raped.
Following Fred's death, Serena initially believed she could become an international flag-bearer for Gilead values. That's not how things have worked out. Once she was forced to move in with the Wheelers, it became apparent pretty quickly that her only currency was her child.
Noah Waterford is a character in The Handmaid's Tale. He is the son of Serena Waterford and Fred Waterford.
Serena leaves and Nichole is left with Luke. June manages to smuggle a tape to Luke where she explains that Nicole was "born out of love", between her and Nick and that her real name is Holly.
Luke divorced his first wife and married June, which is how the authorities in Gilead justified taking away Hannah and forcing June to become a handmaid. They said that June and Luke's marriage was not valid because he'd had a divorce, therefore their relationship was adultery. Gilead does not recognize divorce.
6 Women are Forbidden to Read or Write
Like the coercion of religious beliefs in Gilead, women are at the forefront of regulations of their freedom. Asides from the Handmaid's sexual servitude and orchestration of their bodies, every woman in Gilead (asides Aunts) is subject to the removal of words and pens.
Handmaids who successfully bear children continue to live at their commander's house until their children are weaned, at which point they are sent to a new assignment to a new commander. Those who produce children will never be declared "Unwomen" or sent to the Colonies, even if they never have another baby.