On the Waterfront Guilt and Blame Quotes

How we cite our quotes: All quotations are from On the Waterfront.

Quote #4

BARRY: And every time the Mob puts the pressure on a good man, tries to stop him from doing his duty as a citizen, it's a crucifixion. And anybody who sits around and lets it happen, keeps silent about something he knows that happened, shares the guilt of it just as much as the Roman soldier who pierced the flesh of our Lord to see if he was dead...

Barry says that being indifferent isn't enough. You can't refuse taking a stand. If you don't stand up for the innocent, for the people who are being crucified, you're effectively siding with evil.

Quote #5

TERRY: Conscience…that stuff can drive you nuts!

EDIE: I never met anyone like you. There's not a spark of sentiment or romance or human kindness in your whole body.

TERRY: What good does it do you but get you in trouble?

Terry's acting like he doesn't believe in having a conscience and that it'll just lead you into trouble—and it does lead him into trouble. But it's trouble that's worth taking.

Quote #6

EDIE: I want you to stay away from me.

TERRY: Edie, you love me... I want you to say it to me.

EDIE: I didn't say I didn't love you. I said, "Stay away from me."

Edie's love for Terry ultimately outweighs the blame she's putting on him. Terry didn't know they were going to kill Joey, so he can't be held fully responsible for his role in Joey's death—and, besides, he's doing everything he can to make up for it. Still, it's pretty remarkable that Edie's willing to forgive him.