In "The Bay of Noon," Shirley Hazzard explores the inner conflicts experienced by individuals grappling with moral dilemmas. Characters reflect their struggles through expressions of confusion and restraint, indicating an awareness of decency that they cannot fully embrace. Phrases like "I fail to understand" and "I cannot bring myself to overlook" reveal their hesitation in approaching the ideals of magnanimity, suggesting an internal battle between their desires and societal expectations.

This tension illustrates how characters are torn between their reluctance to engage in higher moral standards and their recognition of the importance of decency. Their acknowledgment of boundaries in tolerance implies they have encountered ideals that feel demanding or unrealistic. Hazzard captures the essence of human fragility when confronted with ethics, highlighting the distinction between understanding what is right and the complexities of actual implementation in personal relationships.