Book Quote by Margaret Atwood
“Some cleric putting a match to her. /Neither of them looks happy about it. /Once lit, she'll burn like a book, /like a book that was ever finished, /like a locked-up library.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: The Handmaid's Tale excerpt, 1985
A forced union ignites destructive passion, leading to self‑destruction and loss of knowledge.
In simple terms: Forced intimacy can be self‑destructive.
Key Takeaway
Beware of harmful entanglements.
Themes
power
destruction
knowledge
control
Mood
dark
dramatic
Type
literary
cautionary
When to use this quote
- relationships
- political oppression
- creative expression
Key Concepts
symbolism
danger
self‑sacrifice
Questions to Reflect On
- What fuels the fire of rebellion?
- How can knowledge survive suppression?
A Different Perspective
Destruction may also spark resistance.
