Often in class discussions, big abstract concepts get brought up, with the point seeming to be to remind us that, no, things are not quite so simple. There is no absolute good and there is no absolute evil; the world is not kind enough to us to be so easy. This perhaps is discussed more when looking at Magic and Mysticism than in this particular class, but it is worth considering here as well.
Having just finished with our examination of Paradise Lost, we were presented with a sympathetic view of Satan, who is shown to have qualities that could very well be seen as positive. He is ambitious, charismatic, cunning, and a skilled leader. Still however, he is Satan.
In the story of Oroonoko, we are presented with an educated, charming and skilled warrior, who is described even in the title as “royal”; connecting deed to European ideas of nobility rather than blood. Yet, Oroonoko plays an integral part in continuing tragedy of the global slave trade. Though he is presented as a positive character, it is his actions that condemn hundreds, if not thousands to bondage. He leads his people to battle, and then leads others in chains.
Oroonoko reminds us that “Good and Evil” is not the case with the real world. By presenting what is supposedly a true story, we see all sides of an awful situation, and are given a chance to examine it from all sides. Can you think of any particularly good examples of "Gray and Gray Morality" in literature or in real life? What did you think about the situation presented by this sort of conflict? Tell us in the comments! --- 3 of 5
Complex characters with grey areas are my favorite, which is why I was so interested in Satan in Paradise Lost and Oroonoko. When I think of grey characters in other mediums, I mainly think of Walter White from Breaking Bad and Theon Greyjoy (my favorite character) from A Song of Ice and Fire. Both are conflicted, grey characters that are forced into awful situations, which is very endearing to me in any given character.
ReplyDeleteI see where you're coming from but I personally like the use of grey characters. When grey characters are used will the add another dimension to the text that not only makes it more intriguing but deepens the readers connection with text. So far this semester, we've seen grey characters that are not only used well, but that have provided us with some great class discussions.
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