In Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale," the intricate dynamics between the characters are portrayed with caution, particularly their reluctance to express emotions openly. The absence of the word "love" signifies a profound fear of vulnerability and the consequences that might arise from it. The characters believe that uttering such a powerful word could disrupt their already precarious situation, suggesting a tension between desire and survival.

This hesitance reflects the oppressive society they inhabit, where emotional connections are fraught with peril. By avoiding the term "love," the characters are engaging in a delicate dance between intimacy and the harsh realities of their world. It emphasizes how the weight of their circumstances alters their relationships, reducing what should be a natural expression of affection to a potentially fatal risk.