The excerpt from Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale" reflects on the difficulty of perceiving the entirety of one's surroundings, particularly the sky, suggesting a struggle to grasp a complete view of the world. The metaphor implies a fragmented understanding, where one must adjust their perspective gradually, taking in bits and pieces rather than an all-encompassing vision.

This idea underscores the theme of limited perception in the narrative, as characters learn to navigate their realities in small increments. In this context, seeing the world "in gasps" reveals the constraints imposed on them, hinting at both a physical and psychological confinement that shapes their experiences and understanding of their environment.