Blame may be something one person does to another, but it takes a consciousness of wrongdoing to feel guilty. And Pearl feels plenty guilty in Dark Water. She's the reason her uncle went back to Fallbrook during the fire and died, after all.
Importantly, though, Amiel seems to come away from the whole thing unscathed by guilt. Neither he nor Pearl seems to admit that he had a major hand in Hoyt's death along with Pearl. After all, he's the one who wanted to stick around the woods, whereas she wanted to flee. Also, Pearl blames herself for what happens to Hoyt, but she doesn't seem to feel guilty for choosing to stay with Amiel that night—she only feels badly about what happened next.
In other words, guilt and blame are hot messes in this book, following the fickleness of Pearl's heart. So it generally goes in life, though, we suppose.
Questions About Guilt and Blame
- Do you think Pearl should blame herself for Hoyt's death? Why or why not? Remember to turn to the book for support.
- How do guilt and blame damage relationships in the novel? Is it fair for Robby and Agnès to blame her? Why or why not? Give evidence from the text.
- Does Pearl show remorse for her actions in any way? Is her guilt productive in helping her move forward? Are there ways in which it holds her back? Be specific, please.
Chew on This
It's not fair to blame Pearl for Hoyt's death because he chooses to look for her. So even though Pearl is involved, it is still Hoyt's decisions that cause his death.
Pearl should blame herself for Hoyt's death because he dies while trying to save her. Her selfish behavior directly leads to her uncle's passing.