What is good and what is evil?
For most of his life, Edward had not understood the difference between good and evil. He certainly knew the distinction between right and wrong. The Inventor had read him a book of etiquette rules that explained the difference between right and wrong. For example, Edward knew that it was right to say "please" and "thank you." It was wrong to accept the offer of a second cup of tea. Doing the wrong thing led to humiliation and discomfort.
But right and wrong was not the same thing as good and evil. Edward had been wholly innocent of these notions while the Inventor was still alive. The Inventor had read him stories that talked about good and evil. The good people were kind and gentle and courageous. The evil people were cruel. They hurt other people and sometimes even killed them.
The Inventor had obviously been a good person. He had been a gentle man who loved Edward utterly. Peg Boggs had been a good person, too. She had never been other than kind to him, and that went for her family, too. These people had showered Edward with love and caring and complete, unconditional acceptance.
But how had Edward repaid these good people? He had killed the boy who had tried to kill Kim Boggs.
Only evil people killed other people.
Edward was deeply sick at heart at discovering that he was evil. He knew that he could never be around good people ever again.
But right and wrong was not the same thing as good and evil. Edward had been wholly innocent of these notions while the Inventor was still alive. The Inventor had read him stories that talked about good and evil. The good people were kind and gentle and courageous. The evil people were cruel. They hurt other people and sometimes even killed them.
The Inventor had obviously been a good person. He had been a gentle man who loved Edward utterly. Peg Boggs had been a good person, too. She had never been other than kind to him, and that went for her family, too. These people had showered Edward with love and caring and complete, unconditional acceptance.
But how had Edward repaid these good people? He had killed the boy who had tried to kill Kim Boggs.
Only evil people killed other people.
Edward was deeply sick at heart at discovering that he was evil. He knew that he could never be around good people ever again.