Question #1
How do you feel about morally ambiguous characters in fiction, characters who are willing to bend the law in order to do what they *think* is right, even if they could be wrong?
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August 18th, 2006 at 1:39 pm
It’s hard to always walk the straight-and-narrow. Moral ambiguity is not the worst sin. I think we are all guilty of it to some degree, some just push the envelope more than others.
However, I guess it really depends on how bad the act was as to whether I can accept it.
Sometimes no action is the best action and sometimes you just gotta jump in and do what you think and feel is right no matter the consequences!
August 18th, 2006 at 7:21 pm
For me it depends on what rule is being broken. As long as it is not too unbelievable I don’t mind reading about it in books. Because that is what is so great about books!!! A rule may be broken, but it is so that good prevails
….and the hero gets his lady or vice versa..LOL
August 19th, 2006 at 5:41 am
In fiction it is easier to enjoy a character that breaks the law to do what is right. It’s the same as in the movies. We want the bad guy punished in our stories and we are not too concerned about any laws that are being broken.
August 19th, 2006 at 9:43 am
Hi, Books are an escapism and we want a HEA. So as long as it is believable, I am for it. I am all for obeying the law but sometimes in real life it may have to be bent a bit to achieve what is right.
August 19th, 2006 at 11:19 am
it depends on what law.
August 20th, 2006 at 3:04 pm
Okay…let’s say murder.
August 21st, 2006 at 11:20 am
In fiction I think it makes for a great story. You either root for them all the way or they are the ones that you want to see get caught and in trouble. I think that it keeps the pace moving as well.
August 21st, 2006 at 1:37 pm
In fiction, I don’t have a problem with a character who breaks the law to do what is right.
August 21st, 2006 at 1:43 pm
I think it really depends on the characterization and the situation. Marisela never bothers me because she is trying to do what is right in a particular situation. I have read other books like this and feel the same way - as long as the character is trying. I mean none of us are perfect and reading about someone that always makes the right choices would be a little boring.
August 21st, 2006 at 8:29 pm
Murder as in self defense..okay. Do I think that murder is ever “bending the law, NO!…murder is BREAKING the law and I can’t think of a situation that would make it okay to murder someone. It would have to be self defense and it was either you were going to die or the other person(bad person).
August 22nd, 2006 at 4:22 pm
I LOVE morally ambiguous characters. *grin*
They are more real and have so many layers to explore. Plus, they’re more fun. LOL
August 22nd, 2006 at 5:08 pm
Murder, huh? There again, it depends on the situation. If it were a truly bad person, and I mean like Hannibal Lechter (sp?) bad, I wouldn’t have a problem with it. You do what you have to do to stop further chaos and senseless destruction.
But if it were a case of just having suspicions and no actual proof, I’d have to think twice about it. But I am talking outright murder here, not killing in self-defense. That I have no problem with! Killing in self defense is not the same as murder.
Murder implies forethought and/or planning.
August 22nd, 2006 at 6:07 pm
in fiction anything goes
August 24th, 2006 at 8:37 pm
I think my crime and law class in high school had a big discussion on murder! It was very scary what people thought would be okay and not okay in real life.
August 25th, 2006 at 3:46 am
Murder-No, self defense-yes, bending the law to protect-ok as long as people aren’t hurt, even in fiction you never know the age of your readers and don’t want to set to bad of an example.
August 25th, 2006 at 3:50 am
Murder-No, self defense-yes, bending the law to protect-ok as long as people aren’t hurt, even in fiction you never know the age of your readers and don’t want to set to bad of an example.
It is always nice to see some type of a life lesson, sex is good, but use protection, a young girl may read that learn something, keep up the good work
August 25th, 2006 at 7:24 pm
I like to read stories that sway a little away from my every day life so I think it’s okay for fiction. Maybe not so much in real life.
August 25th, 2006 at 7:59 pm
I do think that fiction allows writers, and readers, to explore touchy issues they might not want to deal with in real life. I’ll be very interested to see what you all think of DIRTY LITTLE LIES, where this very question is at the heart of the book. And I tried not to take the easy way out with the resolution. Time will tell if the choices are acceptable to readers!
August 27th, 2006 at 12:42 am
It definitely depends on the situation. The law is the law, no matter what.
August 27th, 2006 at 8:10 am
In fiction, you can bend the law a bit if it makes for a hea and a wrong righted. I havent read DLL yet so cant comment on it.
August 29th, 2006 at 5:27 am
I don’t think you can judge a fictional act the same way as you would judge a real act. In a book you know it’s made up so you’re willing to tolerate and accept questionable actions. In real life I don’t think you can let murder go…. only self defense…. too many people’s lives are affected by a murder.
August 29th, 2006 at 9:20 pm
I agree w/ you Laurie G…but sometimes if the act is too unrealistic, the book loses something for me. Sorry if I don’t make sense