Goodness in Things Evil by
In the face of widespread poverty, sickness, and death, frustrated by her people’s apathy in the face of government corruption, activist Isabel Quirinus has recently embraced a doctrine of violent revolt. Venda Naudé, a government official, fears Isabel's popularity is so great that her execution might spark violence and instead isolates Isabel under house arrest. Isabel and Venda engage one another in a...
In the face of widespread poverty, sickness, and death, frustrated by her people’s apathy in the face of government corruption, activist Isabel Quirinus has recently embraced a doctrine of violent revolt. Venda Naudé, a government official, fears Isabel's popularity is so great that her execution might spark violence and instead isolates Isabel under house arrest. Isabel and Venda engage one another in a wary debate that turns to mutual respect and come to realize they have goals and values in common, but different notions about methods. When Venda's son is killed in an accident, the result of government corruption, he comes to believe his slow, steady approach to progress will never work. To Isabel's horror, Venda embraces her original doctrines and pursues the uprising she originally sought.