I would like to be the air that inhabits you for a moment only. I would like to be that unnoticed and that necessary

I would like to be the air that inhabits you for a moment only. I would like to be that unnoticed and that necessary

Margaret Atwood, a renowned Canadian author known for her thought-provoking and often feminist works, has a way of capturing the complexities of human relationships and emotions in her writing. The quote, “I would like to be the air that inhabits you for a moment only. I would like to be that unnoticed and that necessary,” perfectly encapsulates the themes of desire, intimacy, and vulnerability that are often present in Atwood’s work.

In this quote, Atwood explores the idea of wanting to be intimately connected to someone, even if it is only for a fleeting moment. The desire to be the air that inhabits another person speaks to a deep yearning for closeness and connection, to be so intertwined with someone that you become a part of them. At the same time, the desire to be unnoticed yet necessary highlights the paradoxical nature of relationships – the need for both intimacy and independence, to be both present and invisible.

This duality is a common theme in Atwood’s writing, where characters often grapple with conflicting desires and emotions. In her novel “The Handmaid’s Tale,” for example, the protagonist Offred longs for freedom and independence while also craving connection and intimacy. Similarly, in “The Blind Assassin,” the characters Iris and Laura struggle with their complicated relationship as sisters, torn between love and resentment.

Atwood’s exploration of these complex emotions and relationships is what sets her apart as a writer. She delves deep into the human psyche, exposing the raw and often messy truths of our desires and fears. Through her evocative prose and vivid imagery, she invites readers to confront their own vulnerabilities and desires, to question what it means to truly connect with another person.