How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
Mr. Irwine had sat down again in silence. He was too wise to utter soothing words at present, and indeed, the sight of Adam before him, with that look of sudden age which sometimes comes over a young face in moments of terrible emotion—the hard bloodless look of the skin, the deep lines about the quivering mouth, the furrows in the brow—the sight of this strong firm man shattered by the invisible stroke of sorrow, moved him so deeply that speech was not easy. Adam stood motionless, with his eyes vacantly fixed in this way for a minute or two; in that short space he was living through all his love again.
"She can't ha' done it," he said, still without moving his eyes, as if he were only talking to himself: "it was fear made her hide it... I forgive her for deceiving me... I forgive thee, Hetty... thee wast deceived too... it's gone hard wi' thee, my poor Hetty... but they'll never make me believe it." (39.37-38)
Mr. Irwine offers Adam the opportunity to work through his emotions and grapple with Hetty's crime. Wise choice, your Irwine-ness. And we're not being sarcastic; this really is a great idea. On his own, Adam arrives at a statement of compassion and forgiveness that is very much in line with Mr. Irwine's own philosophy.
Quote #8
"Good come out of it!" said Adam passionately. "That doesn't alter th' evil: her ruin can't be undone. I hate that talk o' people, as if there was a way o' making amends for everything. They'd more need be brought to see as the wrong they do can never be altered. When a man's spoiled his fellow-creatur's life, he's no right to comfort himself with thinking good may come out of it. Somebody else's good doesn't alter her shame and misery." (46.25)
Adam directs this statement at Bartle Massey. Adam is capable of forgiveness, but he realizes that putting a crime into perspective does not erase its destructive effects. And isn't it nice that, for once, Bartle doesn't break in with something misogynistic? Misfortune puts a lot into perspective.
Quote #9
"I don't want to lessen your indignation against me, or ask you to do anything for my sake. I only wish to ask you if you will help me to lessen the evil consequences of the past, which is unchangeable. I don't mean consequences to myself, but to others. It is but little I can do, I know. I know the worst consequences will remain; but something may be done, and you can help me. Will you listen to me patiently?"
"Yes, sir," said Adam, after some hesitation; "I'll hear what it is. If I can help to mend anything, I will. Anger 'ull mend nothing, I know. We've had enough o' that." (48.18-19)
Here, Arthur asks Adam to help him atone for the past. Patch it all up, and try to move on. And Adam is willing to "help to mend" everything that has been set wrong. Come to think of it, his willingness to listen to Arthur suggests that things are already being mended. Adam is treating Arthur not as a criminal, but as a man deserving of pity and understanding.