perfect world. James, however, "turns the screw" on this notion, introduces children into the equation, and then makes it clear that, in this instance at least, two children are willing and gleeful participants in the evil goings-on.
In addition, these children are depicted as profoundly sweet and innocent children before the corruption of their hearts and souls commences. In other words, they were not the sort of children who, upon finding them corrupted, we would proclaim, Well, I thought they would turn out just like that.
James does no preaching in his story. His "message" is not that evil is bad and goodness is good and we should avoid evil at all costs
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