The Sad Struggle Between Good and Evil

Sadness. When Isaac shoots Henry and his wife in "Color Me Butterfly", it's not just the sadness of someone losing their life that is at play. It is the sadness of watching another being tortured with the choice between good and bad. Even more so, seeing them choose the wrong side, a side that affects their life and diminishes a piece of their soul. This reminded me of two other literary characters Anakin Skywalker and Grima Wormtongue. It broke my heart watching Anakin struggle between his deep love for his mother and wife, and the need to control life over death. Although his intentions were good, he chose the wrong path. For Grima, he wanted to feel love and be in a place of importance. I felt his sadness when he watched the enormous army of orcs that were bread for the sole purpose of wiping out all of humanity. Sadly, his struggle for forgiveness gives way to his fear of retaliation from Sarumon. Fortunately, for Anakin, he seeks for and receives forgiveness in the end. Unfortunately, something in Isaac broke. When he "stammered for words, the fear of God rising in him" (89) that's the last bit of true humanity seen in Isaac. It quickly leaves because he chooses being right and being given what is due him. How different the story would have been if he would have stopped there, asked Henry for forgiveness, and turned himself in. Instead, Isaac turns the blame onto Henry and shoots him as well. The only reason he turns himself in at this point is out of pride, to say that no one would take advantage of the great Isaac. Sadness. For the loss of one's soul without regret is never an occasion for celebration.