In "Hunger," Roxane Gay explores the impact of personal experiences and societal perceptions on her sense of self-worth. She reflects on how the weight of her difficult stories may always be present, but her understanding of her identity helps lighten that burden. This realization offers her a path to healing and self-acceptance.

Gay also discusses the deep connection between loneliness and the feeling of losing control over one's body. She argues that these emotions accumulate over time, emphasizing the complexity of navigating one's internal struggles. Through her narrative, she conveys the importance of recognizing and confronting these feelings to foster a better understanding of oneself.