Godden explores deeply the conflict between good and evil in society: the fascination that evil has for humankind, even the attraction of brutality, which Lise experiences when she confronts Patrice. The author describes, too, the terrible deterioration in Vivi, separated from her lover and married to Luigi, a good and decent Italian truck-driver. She hates her baby and neglects him so that on one occasion Luigi hesitatingly asks Lise, "Are babies supposed to smell?" Vivi's hatred for Lise after the latter kills Patrice is undying. Although Vivi's first invasion of Bethanie to kill Lise is thwarted by Lucette's intervention and death, one feels certain she will never rest until she succeeds.....
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