In Jonathan Lethem's "Motherless Brooklyn," guilt is portrayed as an overwhelming force that demands attention and seeks to rectify past mistakes. It is depicted as an insatiable entity that strives to encompass every aspect of human experience, relentlessly reaching back into the past to make amends for actions that cannot be changed. This desire for resolution leads to frustration as guilt struggles to find a channel for expression.

The passage suggests that guilt often manifests in a chaotic and unfiltered manner, much like a syndrome that compels individuals to express their feelings without restraint. This lack of control renders the expression of guilt ineffective and often misunderstood, highlighting the complexity of human emotions and the difficulties in communicating them. Ultimately, Lethem captures the paradox of guilt: a force that aims to connect and repair but often ends up alienating individuals from one another.