The protagonist in "The Robber Bride" by Margaret Atwood is depicted as someone who struggles with her appearance. Her face is described as becoming layered and obscured, akin to a pond that collects sediment over time. In her quest for restoration, she visits a spa to engage in treatments that promise to reveal her original face, the one she feels is hidden beneath the surface. This reflects her deep desire for renewal and authenticity.

After these spa visits, she returns with a sense of rejuvenation and a feeling of having done something virtuous for herself, yet she is left with an underlying hunger. This contrast highlights the complexity of her journey—while she seeks physical transformation, there is an emotional and existential craving that remains unfulfilled. Atwood intricately weaves themes of identity and self-perception through this character’s experiences.