I am like a room where things once happened and now nothing does, except the pollen of the weeds that grow up outside the window, blowing in as dust across the floor.
In the quote from Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale," the speaker uses the metaphor of a room to convey a sense of emptiness and stagnation. The room, once vibrant with memories and activity, now stands still, filled only with dust and the remnants of life outside, represented by the pollen of weeds. This imagery highlights the contrast between past vitality and present desolation.
Through this metaphor, Atwood illustrates the overarching themes of loss and isolation. The weeds symbolize neglect and decay, suggesting that the speaker's environment has become overrun by neglect, just as personal freedom and connection have been stifled. The quote powerfully encapsulates the emotional impact of living in a constrictive and oppressive society, where the vibrancy of life has been replaced by lifelessness.
