But something had shifted, some balance. I felt shrunken, so that when he put his arms around me, gathering me up, I was as small as a doll. I felt love going forward without me.
In this excerpt from "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood, the narrator describes a profound emotional shift. She feels diminished and vulnerable, as if she has lost her sense of self or agency. This sensation is illustrated by her comparison to a doll, emphasizing her feelings of fragility and helplessness in a relationship.
Moreover, the narrator experiences a painful realization that love is moving forward without her participation. This highlights her isolation and the weight of her circumstances, indicating a disconnect between her feelings and the affection being offered to her. It captures the complexity of her emotional state amid a tumultuous environment.
