The section we read that spans from chapter 26 to chapter 40 was one of the most information and event packed ones yet. We learnt much more about the characters and there was a quick change in from one event to another. We get a deeper look into the relationship between the Commander and Offred as they develop their friendship into an affair that begins to raise suspicions. From the phrase engraved in her room, Offred learns that she is not the only one that has had this kind of relationship with the Commander which makes her realise that he does not truly care about any of his Handmaids and that she should be careful not to let herself be fooled like some of the previous ones. In short, this phrase serves as a warning to future Handmaids. We also learn that Ofwarren (Janine) has a child with the doctor, which means that they have a relationship that goes beyond simply patient-doctor. Soon it is discovered that the child belongs to the doctor and it is considered an unbaby. This scene between Janine and the doctor shows us, the readers, that it is not an uncommon occurrence that doctors try to have sexual relationships with the Handmaids as it happened to Offred as well. The subversives know about the affair between the Commander and Offred which means someone must have told them. We assume that it must have been either Cora or Nick as they are the only two people who possibly know about it.
Serena and Offred have had a bitter relationship since Offred arrived and this is still visible in the later chapters of the novel. In this section of the book, both women acknowledge the fact that there is a possibility the Commander could be sterile and therefore Serena arranges an encounter between Offred and Nick, in an attempt to get her pregnant and force her to leave the Fred household sooner rather than later. This is a strategy that she has come up with to get rid of Offred.
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