Moral Dilemmas

Definition

Moral dilemmas refer to situations where a person faces a choice between two or more conflicting moral principles or obligations, making it difficult to determine the right course of action. These dilemmas often force characters to confront their values, ethics, and personal beliefs in a complex social landscape, revealing deeper insights into human behavior and societal norms. In literature, moral dilemmas serve as a critical tool to explore character development, plot progression, and the underlying themes of choice and consequence.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In the works of certain authors, moral dilemmas often reflect the social expectations and pressures of their time, showcasing characters caught between personal desires and societal norms.
2. Jane Austen's characters frequently encounter moral dilemmas related to marriage, social status, and individual happiness, highlighting the tension between personal values and societal conventions.
3. Samuel Richardson's epistolary style allows readers to intimately experience characters' thoughts and feelings as they grapple with moral choices, deepening the emotional impact of their dilemmas.
4. Moral dilemmas in literature not only serve as plot devices but also encourage readers to reflect on their own moral beliefs and the complexities of human behavior.
5. The resolution of moral dilemmas often leads to significant character growth or downfall, illustrating how choices shape identities and futures in both Austen's and Richardson's narratives.

Review Questions

• How do moral dilemmas contribute to character development in the works of authors like Jane Austen?
  • Moral dilemmas in Jane Austen's works play a crucial role in character development by forcing characters to confront their values and make difficult choices. For instance, characters like Elizabeth Bennet must navigate societal pressures while staying true to themselves, which reveals their inner strength and resilience. These dilemmas also highlight the contrasts between individual desires and societal expectations, allowing readers to witness the transformation of characters as they seek resolution.
• In what ways do Samuel Richardson's use of letters amplify the impact of moral dilemmas faced by his characters?
  • Samuel Richardson's epistolary format amplifies the emotional weight of moral dilemmas by providing an intimate glimpse into his characters' thoughts and feelings as they struggle with ethical decisions. The letters allow readers to understand the characters' motivations, fears, and justifications, making their conflicts more relatable and poignant. This narrative style deepens the reader's engagement with the moral complexities faced by characters like Clarissa Harlowe and how these dilemmas affect their lives.
• Evaluate how the portrayal of moral dilemmas in both Jane Austen's novels and Samuel Richardson's epistolary works reflects broader societal issues of their times.
  • The portrayal of moral dilemmas in Jane Austen's novels and Samuel Richardson's epistolary works reflects significant societal issues such as gender roles, class dynamics, and individual agency. Austen often depicts female protagonists grappling with marriage decisions that weigh personal happiness against social propriety, highlighting the constraints placed on women in her era. Similarly, Richardson illustrates the struggles of characters caught in oppressive social structures, emphasizing the impact of class on moral choices. Through these lenses, both authors critique their societies while inviting readers to consider the implications of morality within their own lives.

Related terms

Ethical Conflict: A situation in which a person faces competing ethical principles that challenge their moral beliefs.

Character Development: The process by which a character undergoes significant internal change or growth, often as a result of facing moral dilemmas.

Consequentialism: An ethical theory that judges the rightness or wrongness of an action based on its outcomes or consequences.