In "The Handmaid's Tale," Margaret Atwood explores the mechanics of a totalitarian regime, suggesting that such a system cannot fully succeed without providing some advantages to a select group. This creates a pragmatic balance where those in power maintain control by offering certain privileges, which helps mollify dissent and consolidate authority.

This quote highlights the paradox of totalitarianism: it often imposes severe restrictions on the majority, yet it must simultaneously create a facade of stability or improvement for a minority. Such strategies are essential for the regime's longevity, as they exploit human nature's need for security and belonging while enforcing oppression.