This cushion was the only other item that Offred had to read, and indirectly gave her vigor to keep fighting to maintain her sanity. Offred uses these incentives left by "the others" and pushes through her self-doubt and apathy and begins to look for a life outside of her present unfulfilling existence. But all of this is to some extent; an attempt to make plans for escape. Through her turmoil, comes no full rewards, and the only factor that truly stays constant with the character is that she keeps recording her story. Like the handmaid before her, she finds hope in something that expresses freedom, though she may never get away from her present state, she finds something that mentally releases her.
Though no one was ever to find this misfit information, it is discovered and used to complete and assist others. This brings a closer tie between the first handmaid and Offred. This intensifies Offred's determination to express