In the scene described, the narrator experiences a snow-filled journey home, where the environment transforms into a serene and somewhat magical landscape. The imagery of "big, soft caressing flakes" evokes a sense of gentle beauty and tranquility, as the snowflakes descend gracefully, akin to delicate moths landing softly on the skin.
Margaret Atwood's use of vivid metaphors invites readers to connect emotionally with the moment, emphasizing the peacefulness enveloping the narrator. The air becoming filled with "feathers" enhances the ethereal quality of the snowfall, suggesting a world transformed by nature's quiet artistry.