Long ago Quote by Margaret Atwood
““The story of Zenia ought to begin when Zenia began. It must have been someplace long ago and distant in space, thinks Tony; someplace bruised, and very tangled. A European print, hand-tinted, ochre-coloured, with dusty sunlight and a lot of bushes in it- bushes with thick leaves and ancient twisted roots, behind which, out of sight in the undergrowth and hinted at only by a boot protruding, or a slack hand, something ordinary but horrifying is taking place.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Handmaid’s Tale, 1985
The passage evokes a vivid, layered setting that hints at hidden, unsettling events beneath ordinary scenes.
In simple terms: A richly described scene hides something terrifying.
Key Takeaway
Notice hidden dangers in familiar places.
Themes
imagination
description
foreboding
Mood
reflective
enigmatic
Type
literary
descriptive
When to use this quote
- reading
- creative writing
- film analysis
- art critique
Key Concepts
Literature
visual imagery
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the boot symbolize?
- How does setting influence mood?
A Different Perspective
Interpretation may vary; some may miss the subtle horror.
