At moments like this I envy those who have found a safe haven in which to bestow their hearts; or perhaps I envy them for having a heart to bestow. I often feel that I myself am without one, and possess in its stead merely a heart shaped stone.
The quote from Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale" expresses a deep sense of longing and envy for those who have found love and safety. The speaker reflects on the joy of being able to dedicate one's heart to another and contrasts it with their own feelings of emotional emptiness. This evokes a sense of isolation and yearning, emphasizing the value of connection in human experience.
The metaphor of a "heart shaped stone" signifies a lack of true emotion and warmth, suggesting that the speaker feels hardened or detached. This imagery highlights the stark difference between feeling love and simply existing without it, underscoring the painful absence of genuine affection and the desire for a haven of comfort in tumultuous times.
