After the trial Sabich is no longer convicted of killing Carolyn so he resumes his semi-normal routine. It is during his return to normalcy that he discovers that his wife is the true murderer of Carolyn. The murder weapon is found among the tools he is using to fix his fence and when his wife returns home that evening he silently confronts her about it. He doesn't need to say a single word his wife knows and details her entire murder plan.
This scene is pivotal because Rusty Sabich has felt guilt throughout the film, but not guilt for killing Carolyn rather guilt for having an affair with her earlier on. It is in this moment that his guilt truly manifests itself . Because of his affair his wife felt the need to "destroy the destroyer," or kill Carolyn, the woman who "bewitched" his husband. Rusty feels like his initial affair set off a chain of events that led up to Carolyn's death. He is not directly guilty of the crime, like his wife is, but he feels guilt for ultimately causing it.
the woman who bewitched HER husband. Rusty sees himself as the originating cause of the series of events that led to Caroline's murder. He also says he willingly reached out for her, so remember his comment to Lipranzer. His look speaks a thousand words.
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