Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Moral complexity refers to situations or characters in literature that present ethical dilemmas or conflicting moral perspectives, challenging readers' understanding of right and wrong.
Related terms
Ethical Dilemma: A situation where there is no obvious morally right choice.
Gray Area/Gray Zone: A term used to describe situations that are not clearly black or white in terms of morality.
Moral Ambiguity: The presence of conflicting moral values or uncertainty about what is right or wrong.