We have begun to slam doors, and to throw things. I throw my purse, an ashtray, a package of chocolate chips, which breaks on impact. We are picking up chocolate chips for days. Jon throws a glass of milk, the milk, not the glass: he knows his own strength, as I do not. He throws a box of Cheerios, unopened.The things I throw miss, although they are worse things. The things he throws hit, but are harmless.I begin to see how the line is crossed, between histrionics and murder.
In this excerpt from Margaret Atwood's "Cat's Eye," the narrator describes a scene of escalating tension and emotional turmoil, where throwing objects symbolizes a deepening conflict. The act of throwing items like a purse and food reveals the characters' frustration, but their choices reflect their personalities. One character's throw, though seemingly harmless, causes a mess and indicates a struggle with control, while the other displays an understanding of the repercussions of...
