I avoid looking down at my body, not so much because it's shameful or immodest but because I don't want to see it. I don't want to look at something that determines me so completely.
In "The Handmaid's Tale," Margaret Atwood explores themes of identity and self-perception through the narrator's relationship with her body. The protagonist expresses a desire to avoid acknowledging her physical form, signifying a deeper struggle with how her body defines her existence within a repressive society. This avoidance is not rooted in shame, but rather a refusal to let her body dictate her worth or identity.
This quote highlights the tension between self-identity and societal expectations. The act of looking away from her body symbolizes a rejection of the objectification that women face. It reflects the broader theme of autonomy in a world where women's bodies are controlled and monitored, ultimately emphasizing the protagonist's quest for a sense of self beyond physical appearances.
