In "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood, the protagonist grapples with her memories and the oppressive reality she faces. The quote "It's my fault. I am forgetting too much" reflects her internal struggle and sense of guilt about her past and identity. It highlights how the regime's control leads to a loss of personal history and individuality, as she attempts to cope with her new circumstances.
This moment emphasizes the theme of memory and the importance of remembering one's history in the face of totalitarianism. The protagonist's acknowledgment of forgetting underscores the danger of erasing the past, suggesting that such loss can lead to further oppression and a disconnection from one's true self. Atwood uses this line to convey the harsh impact of living in a dehumanizing society.