Art Quote by Margaret Atwood
““This is the kind of touch they like: folk art, archaic, made by women, in their spare time, from things that have no further use. A return to traditional values. Waste not want not. I am not being wasted. Why do I want?””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Handmaid’s Tale, 1985
The passage critiques commodified folk art, questioning waste, traditional values, and personal purpose.
In simple terms: Art and waste reflect deeper existential questions.
Key Takeaway
Reflect on the purpose behind creation.
Themes
art
waste
tradition
identity
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
analysis
philosophical
When to use this quote
- museum curation
- craft markets
- sustainable design
- personal projects
Key Concepts
cultural critique
existentialism
feminist perspective
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we value certain crafts?
- How does waste relate to identity?
A Different Perspective
May romanticize “traditional” without context.
