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Happy Labor Day everyone. Many of us might have a day off, but there's nothing that says you can't still make it a good writing day.
I came across this great article in the Deseret News not to long ago, and I'd like to share a snippet from it with all of you. It concerns the difference between depicting Immorality in the media vs. depicting Amorality. It was written by Linda and Richard Eyre and though it is specifically talking about movies, I think what they says applies to literature as well.
I came across this great article in the Deseret News not to long ago, and I'd like to share a snippet from it with all of you. It concerns the difference between depicting Immorality in the media vs. depicting Amorality. It was written by Linda and Richard Eyre and though it is specifically talking about movies, I think what they says applies to literature as well.
Here is the problem: We are failing to distinguish betweensomething that depicts immorality and something that depicts amorality.Immorality means the breaking or violation of moral codes, of religiouscommandments and often of basic decency. Immorality, where it is accuratelyportrayed, complete with consequences, is a good literary device and anessential part of most stories. Scripture is filled with accurate,consequence-included depictions of immorality.
Amorality is something very different. It is theignoring of moral questions altogether. It is the complete disregard and thefailure to even acknowledge the question of right and wrong. It portrays thingsas "normal" even when they are not, and it ignores consequences orpretends they do not exist.
Whether dealing with issues of honesty, sexualmorality or character in general, attempts to portray real mistakes orcharacter flaws or any kind of indiscretion or bad judgment or moral violationaccurately and honestly can be great elements of movies or of any form ofstorytelling, particularly when those portrayals are done with discretion andtaste.
3 Comments on Depicting Immorality vs. Amorality, last added: 9/8/2011
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i would depict/differ either immorality or amorality by looking at life.
that's all.
I will not be the purveyor of moral junk food.
LOVE THIS! I think that article (and you) gets it exactly right - there should be consequences for actions, for breaking moral codes. And I agree that goes double for kidlit. You could construct a character who thoroughly believes their (bad) choices are good, but there should always be consequences for that.
This doesn't mean moralizing or cardboard characters - if anything it means the opposite. Struggling with moral choices is almost always the best story fodder.
Great post!
Great article. I agree with your thoughts. While stories often have a bad guy who disregards what is right and moral, there should be consequences for his or her actions and in good writing, there are.
Thanks for sharing.