Tom Woodward asked Rene Denfeld:

This question contains spoilers… (view spoiler)

Rene Denfeld Hello Tom! What a tough question that is. I think what's important is the narrator himself feels his soul is lost, and when people feel that depth of hopelessness for their own ability to be good, that is a terrible and frightening thing. I do think that when children are abused they can end up doing things they wouldn't have done if given the love, stability and guidance they needed. All children (and adults) need opportunities to succeed at being good people. There is a saying in public defense, "If someone can't be good at being good, they will be good at being bad." That's my experience, at least—life has given me enough humility to know I might always be wrong.

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