In Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale," the narrative reflects on the pervasive violence against women, highlighting how society often treats such incidents as disconnected events impacting others. The chilling stories of corpses found in secluded places emphasize the brutality faced by women and the indifference surrounding these tragedies. The speaker notes that these victims seem like strangers, reinforcing a sense of separation between them and those who hear the news.

This portrayal reveals a disturbing reality where violence is normalized, and the perpetrators are seen as distinct from the observers. The phrase "the men who did such things were other men" underscores a societal failure to confront the root issues of misogyny and violence. It suggests that these acts are often considered distant problems, allowing the cycle of violence to continue without accountability or awareness among those who remain uninvolved.