The narrator grapples with conflicting feelings about alcoholics. While acknowledging that they deserve help, the narrator believes they should drink in private rather than in public, where they could disrupt others. This perspective reflects a sense of self-righteousness and concern for social norms.
Additionally, the narrator's thoughts reveal a deeper commentary on personal accountability and societal behavior. There's an underlying tension between empathy for those struggling with addiction and a sense of superiority in their own drinking habits, illustrating a complex relationship with compassion and judgment.