The quote from Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale" illustrates a sense of fragility and vulnerability. The comparison of the speaker to cotton candy suggests a delicate nature, emphasizing how appearances can be deceiving. The imagery of sugar and air conveys sweetness but also hints at emptiness, reflecting a deeper emotional state of being overwhelmed and vulnerable under pressure.

The vivid description of squeezing cotton candy into a damp wad evokes feelings of sadness and loss. It symbolizes how external pressures can distort one's true self, leading to a feeling of being diminished or broken. Atwood captures the struggle of maintaining identity in a harsh world, highlighting the complexities of human emotions amidst societal constraints.