In "The Handmaid's Tale," the narrator reflects on a quote by Aunt Lydia: "Pen Is Envy." This phrase serves as a warning against desiring items associated with power and autonomy, like a pen, which symbolizes freedom of expression. The narrator feels envy towards the Commander, who possesses a pen, highlighting the stark contrast between their lives.

The act of holding a pen becomes a representation of longing for control and the ability to create one's own narrative. The narrator's desire to possess the pen represents a deeper yearning for agency and resistance against an oppressive regime, revealing the emotional weight these simple objects carry in a repressive society.