In "The Handmaid's Tale," the protagonist expresses a need for resilience and strength rather than the softness and vulnerability that warmth brings. She associates winter with toughness, finding comfort in its coldness and rigidity, as it represents a stark contrast to the perceived weaknesses of a more temperate and yielding existence. This reflects her struggle against the oppressive environment surrounding her.

The imagery of being a "melon on a stem" illustrates her feelings of being weighed down by her circumstances, trapped in a state of over-ripeness that feels suffocating. In her view, the harshness of winter embodies a survival instinct that she longs for, showcasing her desire to escape from the constraints of vulnerability and embrace a more resilient state of being.