The only way you can write the truth is to assume that what you set down will never be read. Not by any other person, and not even by yourself at some later date. Otherwise you begin excusing yourself. You must see the writing as emerging like a long scroll of ink from the index finger of your right hand; you must see your left hand erasing it.Impossible, of course.
The excerpt from "The Blind Assassin" by Margaret Atwood emphasizes the necessity of writing with authenticity and honesty. The author argues that to truly convey the truth, a writer must approach their work as if it will never be read by anyone, including themselves in the future. This mindset prevents self-censorship and the urge to justify or edit one’s thoughts, allowing for a more genuine expression of ideas and emotions.
Atwood presents writing as a dual process, where creation and destruction coexist; the act of writing is likened to ink flowing from one hand while the other hand erases it. This imagery underscores the complexity of expressing one's inner truth while facing the paradox of permanence in writing. Ultimately, it suggests that the struggle for authenticity in writing is ongoing and fraught with challenges, yet necessary for revealing one's true self.
