In "The Handmaid's Tale," Margaret Atwood explores the theme of societal detachment from violence against women. The narrative describes gruesome incidents reported in the media, highlighting the brutal treatment of women. These stories create a sense of horror, yet the characters perceive them as distant events affecting unknown victims, reinforcing a disconnect between their own lives and the grim realities faced by others.

The speaker emphasizes that the perpetrators are seen as separate from the men in their immediate circles, indicating a troubling denial of the potential for violence in familiar settings. This perception fosters an illusion of safety and normalcy, allowing individuals to dismiss the atrocities occurring around them, which ultimately reflects a deep-rooted societal issue regarding the acknowledgment of gender-based violence.