Bent

The concept I found most intriguing from Out of the Silent Planet is the use of the word "bent". The hnau often use this word to describe Malacandrian creatures who have become corrupt. I find it fascinating and beautiful that the word they choose to describe this antagonism with is bent. On Earth, when people commit heinous acts or do unspeakable things, we simply say that they're evil, that it's in their nature, that it's simply who they are. All too often we forget that evil is not an inherent quality. While it is true that some are more predisposed to have characteristics that lend themselves to our definition of evil, pure malicious evil isn't embodied in inherent characteristics. Evil is something that is molded and created over time. Evil is a good that has been corrupted, evil is a good that has been bent. Not only does this word so eloquently describe the human concept of "evil", it also demonstrates why the creatures of Malacandra are able to achieve a level of peace and stability that is inconceivable for humans.