The world is being run by people my age, men my age, with falling-out hair and health worries, and it frightens me. When the leaders were older than me I could believe in their wisdom, I could believe they had transcended rage and malice and the need to be loved. Now I know better. I look at the faces in newspapers, in magazines, and wonder: what greeds, what furies drive them on?
In Margaret Atwood's "Cat's Eye," the narrator expresses concern over the current state of leadership, revealing a troubling observation that those in power are often of her own generation. She reflects on the physical signs of aging, such as hair loss and health issues, which make her question their capability to lead effectively. This shift from believing in the wisdom of older leaders to recognizing the flaws and vulnerabilities in her peers leaves her feeling uneasy.
The narrator's doubts stem from a deeper realization about human nature and the motivations that drive leaders. She grapples with thoughts of greed, rage, and the psychological need for validation in the leaders she sees portrayed in the media. This introspection highlights a loss of faith in authority figures, as she contemplates what dark impulses may influence their decisions and actions.
