Abandoned Quote by Margaret Atwood
“He’d developed a strangely tender feeling towards such words, as if they were children abandoned in the woods and it was his duty to rescue them.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood, 1985
He feels protective toward words, seeing them as vulnerable children needing rescue.
In simple terms: Words are seen as fragile beings needing care.
Key Takeaway
Treat language with compassion and responsibility.
Themes
creativity
language
responsibility
Mood
reflective
empathetic
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- writing workshops
- editing
- teaching literature
- public speaking
Key Concepts
literary empathy
symbolism
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you nurture language without over‑guarding it?
- What responsibilities do writers have to their words?
A Different Perspective
Words can be abstract; over‑protectiveness may stifle criticism.
![“I never have [suffered writer’s block], although I’ve had books that didn’t work out. I had to stop writing them. I just abandoned them. It was depressing, but it wasn’t the end of the world. When it really isn’t working, and you’ve been bashing yourself against the wall, it’s kind of a relief. I…” quote by Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0fc/margaret-atwood-40_abandoned_i-never-have-suffered-writer-s-block-alt_376571.jpg)
