Chapter 29

'If your dog dies, get another.'

Offred is with the commander. She begins to question his past. He claims to be an ordinary guy, who once worked in Market Research , and then 'sort of branched out.' This confirms his role in the conception of Gilead. More so, it hints that this society was deemed one that the populace would find to be palatable, perhaps even attractive, to the men who would live there.

She asks about the latin Nolite te bastardes carborundorum. Offred realizes that this room was the source of the message (Don't let the bastards grind you down). The previous handmaid had killed herself, after carving the words. Serena had discovered their 'affair'. The very same arrangement that now took place between Fred and the new Offred.