In "The Handmaid's Tale," Margaret Atwood emphasizes the essential nature of love in human existence. The quote highlights that while physical intimacy might be seen as important, it is not as vital to our survival as emotional connections. Love provides the depth of meaning and fulfillment necessary for a fully realized life.

Atwood's work critiques the consequences of a society that deprives individuals of love and deep emotional bonds. This underscores how a lack of meaningful relationships can lead to emotional desolation, ultimately making it more detrimental to our well-being than the absence of sex itself.