The quote from Margaret Atwood's novel "Oryx and Crake" highlights the intensity of emotions when one resorts to using tools typically associated with construction or repair in a context like handling a computer. It suggests a sense of aggression or frustration, indicating that such action is not taken lightly and reflects a deeper emotional state.
This imagery underscores the conflict between the technological world and human emotions. By utilizing heavy-duty tools, there's an implication that the situation is serious, perhaps involving betrayal or destruction, revealing the complexities of human relationships and technological dependencies within the narrative.