"If the national mental illness of the United States is megalomania, that of Canada is paranoid schizophrenia"

This quote by Margaret Atwood is a commentary on the mental health of both the United States and Canada. By comparing the 2 nations to mental illnesses, Atwood is recommending that the United States has a tendency towards megalomania, or an extreme sense of power and importance, while Canada is more vulnerable to paranoid schizophrenia, or a mental disorder identified by misconceptions and hallucinations. This contrast suggests that the United States is excessively confident and enthusiastic, while Canada is more anxious and suspicious. Atwood's quote is a suggestion that both countries have their own special strengths and weak points, and that it is essential to acknowledge and comprehend these distinctions. Eventually, Atwood's quote is a call for both countries to be more aware of their own mental health and to pursue a much better understanding of each other.