Ethical dilemmas

Definition

Ethical dilemmas are situations in which a person faces conflicting moral choices, making it challenging to determine the right course of action. These conflicts often arise when individuals must weigh competing values or principles, leading to difficult decisions that can have significant consequences. In literature, particularly in young adult narratives, characters often encounter ethical dilemmas that shape their development and highlight themes of morality, choice, and consequence.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Young adult literature frequently features protagonists who face ethical dilemmas, forcing them to make tough choices that reflect their values and beliefs.
2. These dilemmas can serve as pivotal moments in a character's journey, impacting their growth and relationships with others.
3. The resolution of ethical dilemmas often reflects broader societal issues, encouraging readers to engage with complex moral questions.
4. Characters may experience internal conflict when grappling with ethical dilemmas, leading to deeper emotional narratives that resonate with young adult readers.
5. Ethical dilemmas in literature can also prompt discussions among readers about their own values and how they would respond in similar situations.

Review Questions

• How do ethical dilemmas contribute to character development in young adult literature?
  • Ethical dilemmas play a significant role in character development by forcing characters to confront their values and beliefs. When faced with tough choices, characters often experience internal conflict, which reveals their true nature and leads to personal growth. This process of navigating ethical dilemmas allows readers to connect more deeply with the characters as they witness their struggles and transformations.
• Discuss the impact of ethical dilemmas on the themes presented in young adult narratives.
  • Ethical dilemmas often serve as catalysts for exploring key themes in young adult narratives, such as identity, morality, and social justice. By presenting characters with difficult choices, these stories challenge readers to consider their own beliefs and the implications of their actions. This examination of complex moral questions enhances the depth of the narrative and encourages critical thinking about societal norms and personal responsibility.
• Evaluate how authors use ethical dilemmas to engage young adult readers in discussions about morality and decision-making.
  • Authors strategically use ethical dilemmas to provoke thought and discussion among young adult readers about morality and decision-making processes. By placing characters in situations where they must make tough choices, authors create relatable scenarios that invite readers to reflect on their values and potential responses. This engagement fosters a deeper understanding of ethics and encourages readers to consider how they would navigate similar dilemmas in real life, ultimately making the narrative more impactful.

Related terms

moral ambiguity: A situation in which the distinction between right and wrong is unclear, often complicating decision-making processes.

character development:

The process by which characters in literature evolve or change over time, often influenced by their experiences and decisions.

consequentialism: An ethical theory that evaluates the morality of an action based on its outcomes or consequences.