Former Quote by Margaret Atwood
“I want to be held and told my name. I want to be valued, in ways that I am not; I want to be more than valuable. I repeat my former name; remind myself of what I once could do, how others saw me. I want to steal something.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Handmaid’s Tale, Margaret Atwood, 1985
A yearning for recognition, identity, and self‑worth beyond external validation.
In simple terms: Desire for identity and value beyond what others see.
Key Takeaway
Seek authentic self‑recognition.
Themes
identity
self‑worth
recognition
desire
self‑esteem
Mood
reflective
hopeful
determined
Type
literary
personal
motivational
When to use this quote
- career transition
- personal growth
- creative projects
- relationship building
Key Concepts
existentialism
psychology
literary motif
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “stealing” symbolize for you?
- How can you honor your past abilities today?
A Different Perspective
The quote may romanticize self‑deception as empowerment.
