In "The Year of the Flood," Margaret Atwood explores the theme of knowledge's duality, suggesting that an overwhelming pursuit of understanding can lead to a sense of despair rather than fulfillment. The quote reflects a deep immersion in intellectual exploration, where the act of learning becomes a relentless descent into complexity without offering any joy or satisfaction.

This idea challenges the notion that knowledge is inherently beneficial, indicating that the more one learns, the more one may feel burdened by the weight of that knowledge. Atwood's work prompts readers to consider the emotional toll that wisdom can exact and whether enlightenment truly leads to happiness or merely an endless cycle of seeking.