If I am good enough and quiet enough, perhaps after all they will let me go; but it's not easy being quiet and good, it's like hanging on to the edge of a bridge when you've already fallen over; you don't seem to be moving, just dangling there, and yet it is taking all your strength.
In the quote from Margaret Atwood's "Alias Grace," the speaker reflects on the struggle of being silently virtuous in a challenging situation. The metaphor of hanging on the edge of a bridge illustrates the exhausting effort required to maintain composure and goodness while feeling trapped. This scenario creates a sense of helplessness, with the effort feeling futile yet necessary.
The statement reveals the internal conflict faced by individuals who feel the need to conform to expectations, even when they perceive the odds are stacked against them. The desire for approval and freedom can weigh heavily, turning the act of simply being "good enough" into a strenuous, almost unbearable task.
