The quote "A return to traditional values. Waste not want not. I am not being wasted. Why do I want?" from Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale" reflects a complex interplay between societal norms and individual desire. It suggests a longing for the comfort of traditional values in a world that often overlooks personal worth and fulfillment, emphasizing the importance of not squandering resources or potential.

This message resonates deeply within the context of the novel, where characters grapple with their identities and societal roles. The insistence on not being "wasted" points to a struggle against oppression and the quest for meaning, questioning the very nature of desire in a repressive environment.