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I leafed through all the men I had known to see whether or not I hated them. But then I realized it wasn't the men I hated, it was the Americans, the human beings, men and women both. They'd had their chance but they had turned against the gods, and it was time for me to choose sides. I wanted there to be a machine that could make them vanish, a button I could press that would evaporate them without disturbing anything else, that way there would be more room for the animals, they would be rescued.
by Margaret Atwood
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The narrator reflects on feelings of animosity towards humanity rather than specific individuals. This emotion stems from a belief that society has abandoned its values, likening people to those who have betrayed divine principles. This revelation leads the narrator to a moment of reckoning where they feel compelled to take a stand, needed to choose between two sides.

In a moment of desperation, the narrator fantasizes about a machine that could eliminate humans without causing disruption, reflecting a desire to restore balance in nature. They envision a world where animals could thrive, free from the influence of humanity that has caused chaos and harm. This underscores a profound disillusionment with civilization and a yearning for a more harmonious existence.

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Surfacing
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