In Margaret Atwood's "Alias Grace," the complexities of guilt and responsibility are examined through the lens of a murder case. The narrator expresses a strong conviction that the doctor, rather than the immediate offender, played a pivotal role in the woman's death. This highlights the idea that culpability can extend beyond the act of violence itself, implicating those who enable or facilitate it.

The statement suggests a deeper moral reflection, pointing out that not all who are involved directly in an act of violence are the true perpetrators. The gentleman mentioned, in conjunction with the doctor, symbolizes the various influences and relationships that may contribute to a tragic outcome, making the concept of murder multifaceted and layered.