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Body hair Quote by Margaret Atwood

“Every time the women appear, Snowman is astonished all over again. They're every known colour from the deepest black to whitest white, they're various heights, but each one of them is admirably proportioned. Each is sound of tooth, smooth of skin. No ripples of fat around their waists, no bulges…” quote by Margaret Atwood
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““Every time the women appear, Snowman is astonished all over again. They're every known colour from the deepest black to whitest white, they're various heights, but each one of them is admirably proportioned. Each is sound of tooth, smooth of skin. No ripples of fat around their waists, no bulges, no dimpled orange-skin cellulite on their thighs. No body hair, no bushiness. They look like retouched fashion photos, or ads for a high priced workout program. Maybe this is the reason that these women arouse in Snowman not even the faintest stirrings of lust. It was the thumbprints of human imperfection that used to move him, the flaws in the design: the lopsided smile, the wart next to the navel, the mole, the bruise. These were the places he'd single out, putting his mouth on them. Was it consolation he'd had in mind, kissing the wound to make it better? There was always an element of melancholy involved in sex. After his indiscriminate adolescence he'd preferred sad women, delicate and breakable, women who'd been messed up and who needed him. He'd liked to comfort them, stroke them gently at first, reassure them. Make them happier, if only for a moment. Himself too, of course; that was the payoff. A grateful woman would go the extra mile. But these new women are neither lopsided nor sad: they're placid, like animated statues. They leave him chilled.””

Margaret Atwood

About This Quote

The narrator describes a man, Snowman, whose sexual desire is triggered by imperfections, not by flawless bodies, revealing his need for emotional connection and the melancholy inherent in intimacy.

In simple terms: Snowman craves flaws, not perfection.

Key Takeaway

Imperfection fuels desire.

Themes

desire imperfection melancholy objectification human connection

Mood

wistancholy reflective critical

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • encountering idealized models
  • seeking authentic partners
  • reflecting on past relationships
  • navigating superficial culture

Key Concepts

sexual attraction psychology of desire body image emotional vulnerability

Practical Applications

  • character development in literature
  • exploring themes of authenticity

Questions to Reflect On

  • What does Snowman's preference reveal about his self‑esteem?
  • How does the portrayal of flawless women critique societal standards?
A Different Perspective

Some argue that attraction to imperfections is a cultural construct rather than a universal truth.

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