"A divorce is like an amputation: you survive it, but there's less of you"

Margaret Atwood’s analogy of divorce to amputation encapsulates the profound sense of loss and alteration that comes with the end of a marriage. Comparing divorce to the surgical removal of a limb evokes the idea that while the person endures and remains alive, something integral is irreversibly removed. The relationship, a marriage, becomes so deeply intertwined with personal identity, routines, shared histories, and mutual growth that its severance requires a significant emotional and perhaps even physical adjustment, much like learning to function without a lost limb.

Survival is possible; life continues, and individuals gradually adapt to new circumstances. However, there is a recognition that adaptation entails grappling with absence, not merely of a partner, but of the shared self that existed within the relationship. Emotional investments, plans for the future, and even the small, everyday aspects of companionship evaporate, carving out a void that remains tender long after the legal process concludes. Just as amputees must mourn and adjust to their altered bodies, those experiencing divorce often mourn lost possibilities and the version of themselves that existed in the marriage.

Atwood’s metaphor underscores that this process is not just about the pain of separation, but also the reshaping of one’s sense of self. There’s often a lingering awareness of something missing, whether it is a psychological wound or an altered outlook on trust, vulnerability, or love. The idea of being “less of you” doesn’t necessarily mean a reduction in worth or value, but suggests a transformation, where pieces of the past self are left behind, creating space for healing and eventual regeneration, but not complete restoration. In its stark brevity, Atwood’s comparison honors the courage required to survive such a loss, and quietly acknowledges the enduring marks it leaves upon the human spirit.