Self-Righteousness and Judgment

Robert's conviction of his own election leads him to judge and condemn others as reprobate, ultimately using his faith as a license to commit murder, illustrating the moral blindness of self-righteousness.

Robert and his guardian exhibit a self-righteous certainty in condemning others, as seen in the vengeful psalm sung and Robert's belief that his brother is a 'castaway' and 'cursed.'

The editor frames the manuscript as a warning against self-righteousness, and the suicide's act is judged harshly by the community.