In Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale," the complexity of human emotions in a totalitarian society is a central theme. The protagonist, Offred, grapples with intense feelings of love, loss, and desire amidst the oppressive regime that dictates her actions and relationships. While she can't control her inner feelings, the narrative emphasizes her struggle to manage her behavior in a world that seeks to suppress individuality and autonomy.

This quote encapsulates a key idea in the book: the tension between personal emotions and societal expectations. Offred's journey illustrates how, even in dire circumstances, individuals retain their emotional depth. Her internal conflicts highlight that while feelings may be uncontrollable, our responses to them can still reflect resistance and humanity, even when faced with a repressive context.