In the book "Oryx and Crake" by Margaret Atwood, a character named Jimmy humorously suggests that a pair of unpleasant socks is the source of a bad smell. He emphasizes that no amount of fragrance can mask the odor coming from them, highlighting the futility of trying to cover up something inherently unappealing.
This quote reflects the larger themes of the novel, where appearances often disguise deeper truths. Jimmy's lighthearted comment serves as a reminder that we can't always hide undesirable aspects of our lives, no matter how hard we might try to improve or mask them.