In Ken Kesey's "Sometimes a Great Notion," the protagonist contemplates her self-image, observing it through a dirty attic window. This moment highlights the struggle of truly understanding oneself, suggesting that our perception is often clouded and distorted by external factors. The attic window symbolizes a limited and unclear view, which mirrors the complexities of self-identity.

The concern with one's image reflects a deeper existential inquiry about how we are perceived by others. The protagonist's insight into her self-reflection emphasizes that our identities are shaped by the way we see ourselves in relation to the world, often through the filters of society, expectations, and experiences.