In Margaret Atwood's novel "The Handmaid's Tale," mourning is depicted as a complex process dictated by societal norms. The question of how long one should grieve for a loved one reflects the tension between personal emotions and external expectations. Characters grapple with the pressure to conform to a timeline for their grief, emphasizing how societal rules can dictate individual feelings.
Ultimately, the idea presented is that one's life should become a tribute to the deceased, suggesting that honoring a loved one's memory goes beyond just mourning. This perspective encourages individuals to channel their grief into meaningful actions and choices, transforming loss into a source of motivation and purpose in life.