For Your Eyes Only | Themes

For Your Eyes Only Themes

Quantum of Solace

The third chapter is titled Quantum of Solace, and the governor of Nassau explains his idea of the Law of the Quantum of Solace. He believes that if one person ceases to give even the smallest of human comforts to another, their relationship becomes damaged beyond repair. The person acting inhumanely becomes perceived as inhuman to the other. A permanent division of inhumanity and lack of empathy is established. In the governor's story, this leads Masters to treat his wife with complete cruelty.

The Quantum of Solace applies in Bond's world as well. The story of Rhoda Masters parallels in many respects the story of Liz Krest. Both women are working at hotels when they are saved from poverty by marrying millionaires. While Rhoda's story focuses on her first husband and she is the injurious party, Liz's story focuses on her life with an abusive millionaire. Her husband does not...
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