In "The Robber Bride," Margaret Atwood explores the idea of wisdom and maturity through a thought-provoking quote. The speaker questions whether age necessarily brings wisdom or if it can sometimes lead to increased frivolity and impulsiveness. This suggests a complex relationship between age and personal development, where growing older doesn’t guarantee that one becomes more self-aware or thoughtful.
Atwood’s reflection implies that some individuals may never truly learn the value of restraint and discretion. The mention of a "plastic bag over your head" evokes a sense of suffocation that can accompany unfiltered expression, hinting that the journey toward understanding oneself and others may not be linear, and that one could remain naive despite years of experience.