In Margaret Atwood's "Moral Disorder and Other Stories," the author reflects on the concept of emptiness through chosen objects that are intended to contain something but are purposely left vacant. This act of leaving them empty transforms these objects into symbols of unfulfilled desires or needs. They represent a longing or thirst for something more significant that is not being satisfied.

These empty vessels serve as poignant reminders of what it means to crave fulfillment while also highlighting the emotional weight of absence. Atwood's insight into these shrines to thirst invites readers to contemplate their own lives and the various ways they might maintain unfilled spaces, whether emotionally, spiritually, or materially.