Symbolism, Imagery, Allegory
Babies don't just symbolize new life—they are new life. But babies are also a total burden: they can't do anything on their own, so of course, they need people to take care of them.
Which brings us to Bibi and her baby. How is Bibi supposed to take care of her baby when she can't even take care of herself? By the way, do you notice how "Bibi" sounds a lot like "baby"? We don't think that's accidental.
Sometimes, though, a person needs to become a parent in order to grow up. That's something Bibi knows already when she complains to the community: "Is it wrong to envy you, all brides and mothers, busy with lives and cares? Wrong to want to shade my eyes, scent my hair? To raise a child and teach him sweet from sour, good from bad?" (TBH 4).
Having a kid means having a life—a "busy" life, full of practical purpose and direction—something Bibi's life becomes after she has her son. She's no longer an incurable sick person; she's a single mom who also happens to be a pretty good business owner.
Bibi's pregnancy kind of just pops out of nowhere. Obviously, everyone figures out that a rapist ends up impregnating her, but it's not something she dwells on or even speaks of. In fact, she says "she could not remember what had happened" (TBH 51).
All of this brings up the idea that Bibi's pregnancy and son are a take on the story of the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus. If you're a devout Christian, this all might seem totally sacrilegious, although it might be worthwhile to think about how Bibi's story and the Virgin Mary story inform each other. We'll leave that heavy-duty thinking to you…