The narrator expresses deep emotional turmoil and vulnerability as they describe feelings of loneliness and despair. Lying on the floor symbolizes their helplessness, while the references to crying at night and fearing voices illustrate their anxiety and mental distress. This imagery suggests a struggle with inner demons and the isolation that comes with it.

The metaphor of being on the edge of the land conveys a sense of impending danger or a critical point where they could easily be overwhelmed. The idea of being pushed over signifies the fragility of their mental state and the fear of losing control. Atwood captures a poignant moment of existential dread, emphasizing the weight of emotional pain and the battle against succumbing to it.