In "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood, the narrator reflects on a time when she wore bathing suits at the beach, highlighting a sense of freedom and comfort in her body. This carefree attitude toward her appearance contrasts sharply with the oppressive society depicted in the novel, where women's bodies are heavily regulated and shamed. The memories evoke a sense of nostalgia for a more liberated existence.

The narrator expresses a sense of disbelief at how she so freely displayed her skin among men, indicating a loss of this straightforward confidence in her body. The mention of feeling shameful or immodest suggests that societal pressures have altered her perception of herself. This dichotomy emphasizes the themes of control, autonomy, and the transformation of personal identity in a repressive environment.