It plays first on the themes of how a negative person can try and change to become a more positive influence. And in this manner, the character succeeds.
However the later part of the story goes on to explore whether it is possible to then be "good" to people we have previously been "bad" to. In this attempt, the character is not as successful and attempts seem futile.
I like to consider myself a "good" person. But of course there are, at times, moments in our lives where we are - intentionally or not - bad to another person. And when it comes to real life, and "being good" to the person to whom we have been bad, it can sometimes feel as unachievable as it did for the protagonists of this novel.
Being good to those whom we have been bad to can fail quite easily. And trying can actually make things worse.
I've learnt at late when witnessing this as playing the role of both parties - both the hard done by, and the one who did the hard-doing... What happens between two people that inevitably results in an "I don't think trying to be good, or fix things with you, is going to be beneficial".
In ordinary circumstances - being good is generally well received... by both the recipient and also by on-lookers. You're praised for your being good by outsiders, and receive gratitude from the person you're being "good" to.
Yet once you've treated someone badly... no matter how good you might be in future can make no difference. A negative stands out a thousand times stronger than the cornucopia of positives and goodness you may have offered or intend to continue to offer.
It's like a few drops of black ink dispersing through a perfectly clear vessel of water... no matter how much more fresh, clean good water you try to continue to add - the taint of the ink remains.
With this in mind I believe therefore sometimes it may be better to consider that once things have been bad, it takes less energy to simply do nothing rather than try and remedy the bad with a whole lot of good. And perhaps also important to consider that it be better to just be "good" by people at all times in the first place, as to never have to face the irreparability of a dynamic between two people when someone is "bad" to the other, in the first place...
Until next time...
Peace, love 'n lychees!
Suzy x
