The quote from Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale" reflects a yearning for spiritual and emotional emptiness as a prerequisite for being filled with meaningful qualities. It suggests that in order to receive grace and love, one must first relinquish their attachments and desires. This desire for emptiness indicates a profound understanding of sacrifice and self-denial, showcasing the characters' struggles within a system that values reproduction over individuality.

This notion of emptiness ties into the broader themes of the novel, where women are often stripped of their identities and reduced to their reproductive capabilities. The longing for love, grace, and the essence of human connections highlights the stark contrast between the oppressive societal structure and the characters’ inner desires. Atwood intricately weaves these elements to explore the complexities of human experience in a dystopian reality.