The narrator of Chime, Briony, bases nearly all her thoughts on guilt and blame. She remembers incidents over and over again to remind herself of her own wickedness and guilt, and she makes sacrifices for others while convincing herself everything is her fault.
And in the end, of course, she insists she be hanged for the things she feels guilty of. This story shows how guilt and blame can be self-sustaining emotions, and how those emotions can tear apart any positive self-image a person has. And worst of all though, is that Briony isn't guilty, and she's not the one to blame for any of the bad stuff that happens along the way.
Questions About Guilt and Blame
- How does Stepmother convince Briony to take the blame for the things she does?
- How does Briony's guilt affect her relationships with others?
- Do you think Rose feels any guilt about keeping her secret for so long instead of saving Briony sooner?
- Briony's father seems to be carrying his share of guilt after everything comes out. Is he truly to blame?
Chew on This
The guilt Briony feels makes her take the blame for events that are not truly her fault at all.
Because of guilt and blame, Briony struggles to see herself as others see her, which hurts her ability to form and maintain relationships with others.