In "All the Little Live Things," the speaker reflects on a personal sense of responsibility regarding a man's moral decline. The individual grapples with feelings of guilt for not being able to connect with him, yet believes that neither he nor Ruth significantly contributed to the man’s downfall. They seem to feel a separation from his choices, suggesting that the man’s own desires were the true driving forces behind his actions.

The speaker identifies the man's pursuit of freedom and pleasure as misguided motivations. This misinterpretation led him down a path of corruption, highlighting the complexities of personal desires and their potential consequences. Through this reflection, the narrative emphasizes the individual’s struggle to understand the factors that lead to moral failures in others.