Roxane Gay’s memoir, "Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body," explores her complex relationship with her body and the impact of trauma on her life. Throughout her narrative, she reflects on her struggles with weight, identity, and societal perceptions of beauty. Gay's journey reveals the intricacies of living in a body that is scrutinized, while also addressing her own feelings of vulnerability and empowerment as she learns to navigate the world in her skin. In discussing her self-marking, Gay emphasizes the need for control over her body. She conveys that her choices regarding her appearance are a means of reclaiming autonomy over her life. Gay’s reflections suggest that despite the challenges she faces, asserting control over her body gives her a sense of agency. This duality of control and acceptance highlights the ongoing complexities of loving oneself amidst societal pressures.

Roxane Gay's memoir delves into her struggles with weight, identity, and societal beauty standards while she reflects on control over her body.

By marking her body, she seeks to exercise autonomy, illustrating the nuanced relationship between empowerment and vulnerability in her journey.