An attempt to explain how the two concepts vastly differ and how that can be used to understand Crowley in Good Omens. (Both Seasons 1-2)
I’m going to preface this with the fact that these are not the dictionary definitions of these two words and I’m using a distinctly American/English Speaking perspective to give them context and connotations. The differences between the two words in English have been dissected and argued over by people smarter and more experienced than me in academic circles. Look into the works of Tina Malti and RT Lakoff for more understanding, but what I’ve managed to paraphrase is this….
A definition of Nice; Of an agreeable or pleasant disposition.
Ex. Using pleasantries when communicating with others. Please, Thank You, Good Morning, ect.
A definition of Kind; Sympathy to others and a willingness to do what is right, without reward.
Ex. Doing favors for friends in need, or donating to charities.
A simple distinction that makes a world of difference when applying to people, doesn’t it?
Now there is the question of how this applies to Good Omens and it’s two main characters.
Obviously mainly Crowley and Aziraphale.
And I think it relies in this interaction.
Crowley denies being “nice” quite vehemently in this interaction and he’s not exactly wrong.
Crowley isn’t nice, not really. He’s actually rather rude in most of his interactions with others, including some of his interactions with Aziraphale. It would be a stretch in every sense of the word to claim his presence as “pleasant” in general terms, no matter what Aziraphale might think.
But Crowley is kind. The demon is kind from the very beginning due to his relationship with sympathy and the selflessness he manages to pass off as a blasé fair attitude.
And we see proof of it time and time again.
Chronologically and with very few details….
With Adam, Eve, and the the garden, Crowley expresses sympathy. He states that it seems banishment as an unjust punishment for a first offense.
He expresses distaste for the mass killing of the people in Mesopotamia, specifically pointing out the loss of the children.
He refuses to watch more children die in “A Companion to Owls” and saves Job’s Children from their fate.
He expresses sympathy for Jesus and recalls his time spent with the “Son of God”
He performs favors for Aziraphale at The Globe Theater, in The Bastille, and during the Blitz.
He helps Elspeth with her journey and gives her stability in Edinburgh.
He saves the World because he cares about it. Stripped of his facades, Crowley cares very much about the earth, and not just for selfish reasons.
During none of these events, where Crowley is doing the right thing, is he “nice” in the terms defined earlier.
Aziraphale doesn’t distinguish between the two words, or words like them, and so he uses “nice” and “Good”(notice the Capital G) when it might be more accurate to use “kind” and “right”.
I think it might be telling that Crowley does distinguish between them. As he lives far more comfortably in the shades of grey than Aziraphale does.
If you liked those thoughts I write metas about good omens sometimes!
Aziraphale and perspective on Crowley’s fall.
The start of their side and their differing feelings on being separate from heaven and hell.
Crowley and Forgiveness
Exactly! Entities and how they fail to communicate.
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Kickstarter. where you can see the project
