Hackberry grapples with the haunting thought of Collins, trying to reassess his reality by convincing himself that Collins is dead and gone, possibly consumed by nature. He reflects that Collins should be left in the past, or at least in the depths of human consciousness where many inner demons reside. This internal struggle illustrates Hackberry's attempt to distance himself from the influence of evil and past trauma.

Hackberry contemplates the nature of evil, seeing it as an entity that thrives within the context of nationalistic conflicts. He perceives these wars not merely as battles, but as events wrapped in a facade of patriotism that inflict the most profound suffering. This perspective highlights Hackberry's understanding of the deeper, insidious workings of evil in society and its impact on human lives.