Dilemmas in Literary Works

Introduction: Dilemmas in Literary Works

Dilemmas in literary works serve as essential narrative devices, presenting characters with morally or emotionally challenging choices that drive the plot and character development.

These dilemmas often mirror real-life ethical complexities, enabling readers to engage with intricate moral issues and human behavior. They contribute to the depth and richness of the storyline, offering opportunities for characters to demonstrate their values, evolve, or face consequences for their decisions.

By exploring dilemmas in literature, authors shed light on the complexities of human decision-making, fostering introspection and sparking discussions about ethical, moral, and societal concerns.

Shakespearean Dilemmas

Type	Explanation	Example
Moral Dilemmas	Characters in Shakespearean plays often face moral choices, grappling with right and wrong, loyalty, and betrayal.	In “Hamlet,” Hamlet faces a moral dilemma, seeking revenge for his father’s murder without committing further atrocities.
Love Dilemmas	Love and romantic dilemmas are common, with characters torn between love, duty, and the challenges of forbidden love.	“Romeo and Juliet” depicts a dilemma where the titular characters must choose between their love and their feuding families.
Identity Dilemmas	Characters may grapple with questions of identity, concealing true selves or adopting disguises.	In “Twelfth Night,” Viola’s decision to disguise herself as a man creates an identity dilemma as she navigates society.
Power and Ambition Dilemmas	Dilemmas related to ambition, power, and the pursuit of authority are central to plays like “Macbeth.”	In “Macbeth,” the title character’s ambition and the dilemmas it brings play a central role in the unfolding tragedy.
Fate and Free Will Dilemmas	Shakespeare explores the tension between fate and free will, where characters must choose their paths.	In “Macbeth,” characters grapple with the prophecies of the witches, highlighting dilemmas related to fate and free will.
Revenge Dilemmas	Many of Shakespeare’s tragedies involve themes of revenge, where characters decide whether to seek vengeance.	“Othello” and “Titus Andronicus” feature characters facing dilemmas about seeking revenge for wrongs committed against them.
Family and Loyalty Dilemmas	Characters may struggle between loyalty to family and loyalty to their country or ruler.	In “King Lear,” the titular character faces dilemmas surrounding the division of his kingdom among his daughters.

Literary Examples of Dilemmas

Book Title	Dilemma	Explanation
To Kill a Mockingbird	Moral Dilemma: The dilemma of racial injustice and moral courage.	Atticus Finch, a lawyer, faces a moral dilemma as he defends Tom Robinson, a black man wrongly accused of raping a white woman, in the racially divided town of Maycomb.
Sophie’s Choice	Heartbreaking Choice: The heartbreaking choice between one’s children.	Sophie, a Holocaust survivor, faces a haunting dilemma when forced to choose which of her two children will be sent to a concentration camp. The harrowing choice Sophie makes leaves an indelible mark on her life and psyche.
Crime and Punishment	Moral Dilemma: The moral dilemma of whether to commit a crime for a perceived greater good.	Raskolnikov, the protagonist, grapples with a moral dilemma about whether to murder an unscrupulous pawnbroker to alleviate poverty and suffering or adhere to his moral values. Raskolnikov’s internal conflict and ultimate decision drive the narrative of the novel.
The Road	Survival Dilemma: The dilemma of survival in a post-apocalyptic world.	The novel’s unnamed father faces constant dilemmas as he navigates a desolate, dangerous world with his young son, making choices related to survival and morality. The father must choose between sharing their limited resources with other survivors or prioritizing the safety of his son.
The Great Gatsby	Moral Dilemma: The moral dilemma of pursuing the American Dream at any cost.	Jay Gatsby faces a moral dilemma as he amasses wealth and throws extravagant parties to win the love of Daisy Buchanan, who is married to another man. Gatsby’s relentless pursuit of the American Dream leads him to make ethically questionable choices, ultimately leading to his tragic end.

How to Create Dilemmas in Literary Works

1. Character Goals and Values:
   • Establish clear goals and values for your characters. What do they want? What do they believe in? These aspects will lay the foundation for dilemmas as characters may need to compromise their values to achieve their goals.
2. Conflicting Objectives:
   • Introduce conflicting objectives or desires among characters. When two or more characters have opposing goals or needs, it naturally leads to dilemmas as they must navigate these conflicts.
3. Limited Resources:
   • Place characters in situations with limited resources, be it time, money, or physical necessities. Dilemmas often emerge when characters must decide how to allocate these scarce resources.
4. Moral and Ethical Quandaries:
   • Incorporate moral and ethical quandaries. Present characters with choices that challenge their moral compass, forcing them to weigh the consequences of their actions and the potential harm or good they may cause.
5. Unforeseen Consequences:
   • Introduce unexpected or unintended consequences of characters’ actions. When characters make decisions without considering the full ramifications, dilemmas can arise as they grapple with the fallout of their choices.

By using these techniques, authors and storytellers can create compelling dilemmas that engage readers and viewers by drawing them into the characters’ complex decision-making processes.

Benefits of Using Dilemmas in Literary Works

1. Character Development:
   • Dilemmas provide opportunities for in-depth character development as they reveal the values, beliefs, and ethical boundaries of characters. This enhances the complexity of the characters and makes them more relatable to the audience.
2. Engaging Plotlines:
   • Dilemmas add layers of complexity to the plot, making it more engaging and thought-provoking. Readers and viewers are drawn into the story as they anticipate how characters will resolve their dilemmas.
3. Moral and Ethical Exploration:
   • Dilemmas offer a platform for exploring complex moral and ethical issues. They encourage audiences to consider different perspectives, fostering critical thinking and meaningful discussions.
4. Emotional Connection:
   • Dilemmas evoke emotional responses from the audience as they empathize with characters facing difficult choices. This emotional connection can make the story more impactful and memorable.
5. Conflict and Tension:
   • Dilemmas create conflict and tension within the narrative. This conflict drives the story forward and keeps the audience invested in the outcome, ultimately leading to a more dynamic and compelling storyline.

Dilemmas in Literary Works and Literary Theory

1. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee:
   • Dilemma: The moral dilemma of racial injustice and the legal system.
   • Critique: The novel presents the moral dilemma faced by Atticus Finch as he defends an innocent black man accused of raping a white woman. This dilemma exposes societal prejudices and challenges the characters to confront their beliefs.
2. Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky:
   • Dilemma: The psychological and moral dilemma of Raskolnikov, the protagonist.
   • Critique: Raskolnikov grapples with the dilemma of whether committing murder for a perceived greater good is justified. This inner conflict serves as a psychological study and raises profound ethical questions.
3. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald:
   • Dilemma: The moral dilemma of Jay Gatsby pursuing the American Dream.
   • Critique: Gatsby’s pursuit of wealth and status to win back his lost love, Daisy, poses a moral dilemma. The novel critiques the American Dream and explores the consequences of compromising morals for material success.
4. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins:
   • Dilemma: The ethical dilemma of survival in a dystopian society.
   • Critique: The characters, particularly Katniss Everdeen, face moral dilemmas related to survival, loyalty, and rebellion against an oppressive regime. The narrative explores the consequences of difficult choices in a harsh world.

In each of these novels, the use of dilemmas adds layers to the characters and themes, challenging both the characters and the readers to confront complex ethical and moral issues. The exploration of dilemmas contributes to the depth and richness of these literary works.

Suggested Readings

1. Abrams, M. H. The Mirror and the Lamp: Romantic Theory and the Critical Tradition. Oxford University Press, 1985.
2. Austin, J. L. How to Do Things with Words. Harvard University Press, 1962.
3. Foster, T. R. The Souls of Cyberfolk: Posthumanism as Vernacular Theory. University of Minnesota Press, 2001.
4. James, H. The Turn of the Screw. Penguin Classics, 2003.
5. Kierkegaard, S. Fear and Trembling. Penguin Classics, 1843.
6. Mill, J. S. On Liberty. Dover Publications, 1859.
7. Shakespeare, W. Hamlet. Folger Shakespeare Library, 1623.
8. Tolstoy, L. War and Peace. Oxford University Press, 1869.
9. Woolf, V. Mrs. Dalloway. Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1925.
10. Zimbardo, P. G. The Lucifer Effect: Understanding How Good People Turn Evil. Random House, 2007.