In Margaret Atwood's novel "Alias Grace," the narrator reflects on a childhood feeling of inadequacy and the desire to belong. The notion of wanting to hug oneself tight symbolizes a longing to shrink away from the world and its expectations. The idea of making oneself smaller suggests the pressure to fit into spaces where one feels unwelcome or out of place.

This quote encapsulates the struggle for acceptance and the emotional turmoil that stems from feeling like an outsider. It highlights a universal experience of searching for comfort and a sense of belonging, revealing the deeper psychological impacts of solitude and the need for connection in one's environment.