Then I find I'm not ashamed after all. I enjoy the power; power of a dog bone, passive but there. I hope they get hard at the sight of us and have to rub themselves against the painted barriers, surreptitiously. They will suffer, later, at night, in their regimented beds. They have no outlets now except themselves, and that's a sacrilege.
The narrator expresses a sense of empowerment despite initial shame. The metaphor of a dog bone illustrates a passive yet present form of power, suggesting a complex dynamic of dominance and submission. This power evokes strong reactions in others, indicating that the mere sight of the narrator brings about an uncontrollable desire that is both thrilling and taboo.
The imagery of their torment at night highlights the repression faced by these individuals, confined to strict routines and lacking outlets for their emotions. Their suffering is emphasized as sacrilegious, underscoring the intensity of their desire suppressed by societal norms, as they grapple with the consequences of their yearning in solitude.
