After a day of drinking, individuals often find themselves facing limited choices for how to spend the evening. The stark reality is reduced to two options: one can either feel regret for their actions or choose to continue drinking, which inevitably leads back to feelings of remorse. This cycle reflects the struggle many experience when alcohol consumption spirals out of control.

Ian McEwan's "Nutshell" encapsulates this idea, highlighting the emotional conflict that arises from indulgence. It points to a deeper commentary on human behavior, emphasizing how such moments of excess can trap individuals in a loop of temporary escape followed by guilt and reflection.