Atwood uses symbolism to convey how a person's personality can disintegrate while living in a repressive society. As the story begins, Kat undergoes surgery to remove a large ovarian cyst that she retains and calls "Hairball". This large cyst is in fact a symbol representing the disintegration of Kat's personality. Most cysts that develop in the human body are dysfunctional and Kat can be seen as a dysfunctional woman when she decides to keep this cyst. “The cyst turned out to be a benign tumor. Kat liked that use of 'benign,' as if the thing had a soul and wished her well” (304). This specific passage shows readers how Kat is slowly losing her mind thinking that her cyst has a soul of its own. He also humanizes his cyst by calling it “Furball” and giving it human characteristics: “Furball's baby teeth shine in the light; he looks like he's about to speak” (312). Additionally, Hairball is described as having baby teeth which may represent how he is like a child who is still developing. This developing cyst may also symbolize how Kat is trying to develop her personality. However, this becomes a challenge for her because she lives in a society where male domination is present. She works as a photographer for an avant-garde magazine and tries to express her ideas, but the men she works with don't let her. Kat trying to develop her personality within her society leads her to lose herself and become dysfunctional again just like a cyst trying to be a tumor. The author uses Hairball as a symbol to highlight how Kat's personality disintegrates while living in a society where gender inequality is supported. Characterization plays an important role in conveying how one's personality can disintegrate while living in a restrictive society. Although Kat is slowly losing her mind, in the story she is portrayed as a confident woman who tries to strive for excellence. You can see it when he wants to title the magazine “All the Rage”. He states that “they are the sounds of the forties” and that “the forties are back” (311). However, the all-male board of directors did not approve. In fact “although she was too feminist, of all things” (311). This passage not only shows how gender opportunities are evident in the society Kat lives in, but also shows readers why Kat begins to lose her mind..