The first is by Kierkegaard: There resides infinitely more good in the demonic than in the trivial man.
The second is fromMary Poppins.
Dennis Potter chooses to remind us that just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.
They come from nowhere, and will leave just as quickly.
They can move objects simply by snapping their fingers.
Potter makes it very clear to the viewer that this character isnt to be viewed ambiguously.
He states up front that hes a demon, and he has hairy feet with clawlike toenails.
Potter aimed to show how much more complicated morality can be.
Having said that, its not hard to understand why the BBC felt nervous aboutBrimstone And Treacle.
He has joined the National Front and wants all immigrants to be expelled from the country.
His own experiences have influenced him, and he is not evil.
In rare moments when evil becomes obvious to us, we reject it.
Even Mrs Bates, who prays so hard for her daughter, can be tempted on selfish grounds.
She wants Martin in the house for her own good as much as for any other reason.
But then, time and experience change us all.
Having these safety nets wrenched away is painful and horrible, whether its done through good or bad intentions.
Is the outrage it provokes worth the point it gets across?