In Margaret Atwood's "Cat's Eye," the narrator experiences a moment of revelation about her meal, which she perceives as more than just food. The act of eating transforms from a mundane task to a profound realization about the nature of life and death, as she identifies the turkey wing not just as a part of a meal but as a representation of lost potential and failed freedom.

This encounter with the turkey prompts reflections on the simplicity and vulnerability of the creature, highlighting its stupidity and inability to fly. Through this imagery, Atwood invites readers to contemplate the deeper connections between beings and the consequences of human consumption, while invoking a sense of melancholy over the loss entailed in such acts.