In "The Armies of the Night," Norman Mailer explores the intricate relationship between guilt and sexuality. He suggests that guilt serves as a critical component that gives sex its depth and significance. Without this element of guilt, he argues, sexual experiences can feel empty or devoid of real meaning, reducing intimate acts to something superficial or purely physical. Mailer's perspective implies that the emotional and moral complexities surrounding sex can enhance its value and intensity.

This idea challenges the notion of sex as a purely liberating act, instead presenting it as intertwined with human psychology and societal norms. By highlighting guilt, Mailer emphasizes that our sexual experiences cannot be fully understood without acknowledging the underlying feelings of conflict or shame that may accompany them. This reflection leads to a deeper understanding of how individual and collective histories shape our intimate lives.