In Heaven, there are no debts - all have been paid, one way or another - but in Hell there's nothing but debts, and a great deal of payment is exacted, though you can't ever get all paid up. You have to pay, and pay, and keep on paying. So Hell is like an infernal maxed-out credit card that multiplies the charges endlessly.
In the text, Margaret Atwood contrasts the concepts of Heaven and Hell in relation to debt and payment. In Heaven, all debts are resolved, leaving no one with any financial obligations. This creates a sense of peace and resolution, as everyone is liberated from their burdens. Conversely, Hell is depicted as a perpetual cycle of debt where individuals are trapped in an endless struggle to pay what they owe, unable to escape the mounting charges.
This analogy likens Hell to an overextended credit card, emphasizing the idea that in this realm, debts only accumulate. The notion of continuous repayment suggests a relentless pressure that characters must face in Hell, which serves as a powerful metaphor for the oppressive nature of unending financial obligations and the dark side of wealth.
