It was first published in a 1983 Canadian collection, Murder in the Dark,[1] and highlighted during the nomination period for the 2017/2018 Galley Beggar Press Short Story Prize.
In addition, the story explores themes of domesticity, welfare, and success.
Though the story boasts multiple scenarios, Atwood declares in her writing the only "authentic ending" is the one where John and Mary die.
lt was not quite a condensation, a commentary, a questionnaire, and it missed being a parable, a proverb, a paradox.
Writing it gave me a sense of furtive glee, like scribbling anonymously on a wall with no one looking....lt was a little disappointing to learn that other people had a name for such aberrations [metafiction], and had already made up the rules.