Relationships in Cat's Eye by Margaret Atwood

Throughout the novel Cat’s Eye by Margaret Atwood, Elaine Risley’s relationships are almost always with people who need her more than she needs them. Cordelia, Mr. Hrbik, the drunken woman, and the boys Elaine dates in high school are all dependent on Elaine. Elaine depends on their need for her and is in fact drawn to neediness. The boys Elaine dates in high school are her silent companions. She controls the relationships because …

…older one now, I’m the stronger.” (443). Cordelia needed to make Elaine feel insecure to cover up her own insecurity. Elaine always felt inferior, so she felt the need to be needed. Cordelia’s dependence on Elaine’s insecurity set the stage for most of Elaine’s future relationships. Elaine needed to be depended on so that she could temporarily feel like she was worthy, but the feeling faded eventually. And then she walked away.