The quote from Margaret Atwood's "The Year of the Flood" expresses a sense of surprise and humor. It portrays the incongruity of referring to someone like Toby, with strong characteristics, in such a casual, flirty manner. The comparison to calling God a "studmuffin" underlines the unexpected nature of the term used, adding an element of irreverence to the description.

This comparison highlights how language shapes our perceptions of individuals and can evoke reactions based on context. By juxtaposing the sacred with the mundane, Atwood prompts readers to reconsider how we label people, suggesting that such terms can either trivialize or enrich our understanding of another's essence.