I remembered the young man with his broad white smile and his ashen hair streaked with gold; the basted perfection of his firm flesh, and the grace of his hand clasping mine. I slotted the notes back inside, slid my purse away, and wondered: which of my defects did he notice first?
In Hilary Mantel's "The Assassination of Margaret Thatcher," the narrator reflects on a young man's captivating appearance, characterized by his striking smile and unique hair color. The vivid descriptions highlight the youth's physical allure and the warmth of their interaction, which leaves a lasting impression on the narrator.
However, this moment of beauty is tinged with insecurity as the narrator contemplates their own perceived flaws and how they may have been noticed by the young man. This introspection reveals a deeper struggle with self-image and vulnerability, contrasting the fleeting moment of connection with a sense of personal inadequacy.
