She must transform his hands so they will be willing to twist the rope around throats that have been singled out as hers was, throats other than hers. She must marry the hangman or no one, but that is not so bad. Who else is there to marry?
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The speaker argues for marrying the executioner to prevent future killings, suggesting there are no better options.
- In plain terms
- You should marry the killer to stop them from killing others because there is no one else.
- What can you take from it?
- Choose the least bad option when all choices are terrible.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is there ever no choice?
- What is the least bad option?
Another view
The logic assumes no other means exist to stop violence.
More from Margaret Atwood
In order to avoid her death, her particular death, with wrung neck and swollen tongue, she must marry the hangman.
Permalink to quote #18 You wonder about her crime. She was condemned to death for stealing clothes from her employer, from the wife of her employer. She wished to make herself more b…
Permalink to quote #20 To live in prison is to live without mirrors. To live without mirrors is to live without the self. She is living selflessly, she finds a hole in the stone wall…
Permalink to quote #17
Related quotes
In order to avoid her death, her particular death, with wrung neck and swollen tongue, she must marry the hangman.
Margaret AtwoodMargaret Atwood quote #18 Are we to assist it in gaining power in order to save our lives? Is that the paradox of our earthly situation?
Philip Kindred DickPhilip Kindred Dick quote #21 At times it may be necessary temporarily to accept a lesser evil, but one must never label a necessary evil as good.
Margaret MeadMargaret Mead quote #8