In Roxane Gay's "Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body," the author explores her complex relationship with her body, expressing profound dissatisfaction and struggle. She conveys feelings of hatred towards her body, stemming from an inability to control it and how it is perceived by others. Gay emphasizes the impact of societal views, highlighting the pain caused by judgment, unwanted attention, and how they contribute to her feelings of inadequacy.

The memoir reflects on the internal battle of equating self-worth with physical appearance, revealing how challenging it can be to accept one’s own body and vulnerabilities. Gay laments her struggle to embrace her body at any size, feeling as though she is letting down other women by not fully accepting her own human frailties. This narrative sheds light on the significant emotional toll that body image issues can exert on individuals.