In Margaret Atwood's "Surfacing," the narrator reflects on the complexities of human emotion and the burden of identity. They draw a parallel between the struggles of being German and their own feelings of humanity. The narrator grapples with the dissonance between being deeply affected by the death of a single bird while remaining somewhat desensitized to the broader atrocities reported in the news, such as wars and massacres. This reaction highlights a profound sensitivity to certain forms of loss.

The narrator acknowledges the relativity of pain, recognizing that while societal disturbances have explanations, the death of an animal feels inexplicable and raw. This contrast emphasizes how personal experiences and interpretations of grief can vary dramatically. The sentiment reflects the intrinsic difficulty of confronting life's senselessness, as some events elude rational understanding and provoke a deeper emotional response.