My own view of myself was that I was small and innocuous, a marshmallow compared to the others. I was a poor shot with a 22, for instance, and not very good with an ax. It took me a long time to figure out that the youngest in a family of dragons is still a dragon from the point of view of those who find dragons alarming.
The author reflects on her self-perception, describing herself as small, harmless, and lacking in conventional skills compared to others. She uses the metaphor of a marshmallow to emphasize her feeling of being soft and vulnerable in a competitive or intimidating environment. This self-image is coupled with her admission of being poor at practical tasks like shooting and chopping wood, contributing to her sense of inadequacy.
Atwood also presents an insightful realization...
