Morally Grey is a term used to describe a character who is neither good nor bad. They have no motivation to do good or bad actions. On the contrary, morally gray characters follow their ambition rather than those of the greater good or evil. Due to their goals being detached from these attributes, they could be intrinsically virtuous or vicious if their character’s values align with their objectives. However, morally ambiguous characters may still strive to impact their world positively or negatively in some manner. In recent years, there has been a shift in a society of morally gray characters in our literature. This article will describe morally gray fictional characters and the impact that it has on young adults and their moral compass.
Morally gray characters can be seen in numerous fictional books such as the Court of Thrones and Roses series, Mockingjay, Divergent, Shatter Me, and The Cruel Prince. The main characters in these books grow up good or evil, and once they reach a certain age, they start understanding more of the world from different perspectives. They realize that their morals and values do not align with what they want their future to be. Throughout the story, they are dancing around good and evil, but they never choose a side. The author keeps the reader in suspense throughout the book. Morally gray characters add depth to the storyline, making it easier for readers to connect with their complex motivations. When they choose to take actions that defy the ordinary, it captivates and surprises the reader.
As stated above, morally complex characters are frequently encountered in young adult fictional literature. This influence on literature has real-life implications. The main one is that young adults might find morally gray people more attractive. These characteristics could result in us being involved in more mysterious and/or vulnerable relationships that we might not envision ourselves in. The mysterious and ominous charm that these characters contain allows the reader to be enthralled and sometimes get exhilaration from their actions.
Characters with ambiguous moral traits have the potential to influence not just our interpersonal connections but also the formation of our ethical principles and values. This article explores the idea of cognitive dissonance and the effect that it has on our moral orientation. It discusses the impact that cognitive dissonance has on young adults and the disconnect that they might feel because they are growing their own moral compass. Morally complex fictional characters can exert a comparable influence on our ethical framework as much as cognitive dissonance does. Characters described as morally gray often reflect the gray areas of morality in the real world which makes it more appealing for young adults to escape reality. Their grayness attracts readers to their intricate morals because their actions and choices blur the lines between good and evil. The parallelism of morally gray characters and cognitive dissonance is that most morally gray characters are ethically complex because they experience uncertainty when their beliefs and actions conflict. The impact of cognitive dissonance on the character affects the decisions that they make, ultimately making them a morally gray character.
This particular genre challenges us to reevaluate our ethical perspectives by embracing the complexity of moral decision-making and allowing us to appreciate the details of a person’s life and choices. Morally gray characters in literature enable young adults to self-reflect and foster a deeper understanding of good and evil in the human brain. When we immerse ourselves in these stories, we begin a journey of moral exploration that leads us to question, refine, and solidify our ethical compass.
Next time you read a book, think about the effects that characters can have on your moral compass and the implications that it might have on your future.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.