In "The Blind Assassin," Margaret Atwood explores themes of memory and nostalgia through the lens of her characters' experiences. The quote “...most people prefer a past in which nothing smells” reflects a desire for an idealized past, free from the complexities and unpleasant realities of life. This suggests that many individuals would rather remember events without the emotional weight that can come with them.

The notion of a sanitized past highlights how people often wish to escape from the rawness of their experiences. Atwood’s narrative delves into how characters create stories that reshape their realities, emphasizing the human tendency to cling to comfortable illusions rather than confronting the messiness of truth.