In Margaret Atwood's "MaddAddam," the imagery of a "pot of boiling rage" behind closed curtains symbolizes the underlying tension and suppressed emotions within society. This phrase captures the idea that beneath a seemingly calm exterior, there are intense feelings of anger and frustration simmering just out of sight. The closed curtains suggest a desire to hide these emotions from the outside world, indicating that people may be grappling with their struggles silently.

The metaphor highlights the potential for explosive change or conflict as these bottled-up feelings reach a breaking point. It reflects the broader themes of the novel, where personal and social turmoil coexist, giving the reader insight into the characters' internal battles and the fragile state of the world they inhabit. Atwood uses this vivid imagery to provoke thought about the nature of rage and its consequences when left unaddressed.