In Margaret Atwood's "The Blind Assassin," Adelia finds herself in a precarious situation as time passes and the prospects for a suitable husband diminish. Faced with societal pressures and the limited options available to her, she opts to marry for wealth rather than love. This decision underscores the sacrifices many women made in a society that prioritized financial stability over personal fulfillment.

Adelia's marriage to "crude money" highlights the expectation that she should transform not just her own life, but also this wealth into something more refined. This metaphor suggests an insightful commentary on the role of women in society, where they were often tasked with elevating the status of their husbands and families, all while navigating the complexities of their own desires and identities.