That is what you have to do before you kill, I thought. You have to create an it, where none was before. You do that first in your head, and then you make it real.
In Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale," the protagonist reflects on the psychological process of taking a life. The quote emphasizes the importance of conceptualizing the act of killing before it can be executed. It suggests that the first step involves imagining the scenario and the target, creating an existence for what is to be destroyed within the mind. This mental preparation transforms an abstract idea into a concrete reality.
This notion underscores the complexities of human emotions and morality. It illustrates how deeply intertwined thoughts and actions are, as one must first construct a justification or reason for their actions before they can move forward with them. The portrayal of this internal struggle adds depth to the narrative, highlighting the themes of power, control, and the harsh realities faced by individuals in oppressive circumstances.
