In Margaret Atwood's "Oryx and Crake," the protagonist struggles with expressing genuine feelings. He grapples with the authenticity of his emotions, leading him to doubt the sincerity of his words when he finally considers sharing them. This internal conflict highlights the complexities of human communication, particularly when it comes to vulnerability and trust in relationships.

As he reflects on his reluctance to speak meaningful phrases, the character perceives his sentiments as hollow or insincere. This fear of being untruthful prevents him from connecting deeply with others. Atwood captures the tension between emotional honesty and the apprehension that can accompany expressing oneself vulnerably.