In the novel "Station Eleven," Elizabeth expresses her regret, highlighting the conflict between her desire to apologize and the instruction she's received to refrain from doing so. This reflects the complexity of emotions in human interactions, particularly when acknowledging wrongdoing while also grappling with personal self-perceptions.

The dialogue explores the nature of self-assessment, where Elizabeth feels she is not a bad person despite her actions. The other character's remark suggests a deeper truth, emphasizing that everyone tends to rationalize their behavior as a means of coping with guilt and the darker aspects of their humanity.