Beyond Black & White: The Allure of Morally Gray Characters
Once upon a time, in the enchanted world of children’s fairy tales, characters were often painted in broad strokes of black and white, where good conquers bad and everyone lives happily ever after, end of story. It’s always a one-way path. Readers were always drawn to the main character of the story, the hero. This flawless character who everybody loves, and always knows what to do. However, as the sands of storytelling have shifted, a new trend has emerged. You see, in a black and white world, there exists a zone in between called the gray zone, this is where gray characters stand.
Gray character: Neither good neither bad
A morally gray character is a character whose behavior and intuitions are not easily classified as purely “good” or purely “evil”, adding layers of complexity and ethical vagueness to the narrative. Unlike the clear-cut heroes and villains we are accustomed to, these characters exist in a moral gray area, blurring the lines between right and wrong.
They possess a personality that makes them relatable and human, yet their driven by desire actions may sometimes leave us questioning their true intentions. What makes them mysterious is their complex actions throughout the story, meaning they might start as a protagonist or antagonist, but you find them shifting into the gray zone that confuses readers.
Hidden motives are an essential part in crafting gray characters’ personality. When these intentions come to light, the balance tips decisively toward either good or evil, shifting away from the enigmatic realm of morally ambiguous characters.
How to tell a morally gray character
Identifying a morally gray character involves diving into their personality, actions and motivations across various dimensions along the story. These characters often experience ambiguous motivations, with goals and actions that go against our typical definition of good and bad. They engage in questionable actions that challenge ethical norms, making us confused whether to classify them as a hero or a villain, or even a side character. Their multifaceted background, shaped by past experiences and perhaps traumas, affects their behavior and moral tendencies, making them who they are now.
Morally gray characters often face internal conflicts, reflecting awareness of ethical implications of their choices, and their adaptability to changing events challenges rigid moral ethics. Despite moral ambiguity, these characters develop sympathetic qualities like vulnerability, empathy, or even moments of kindness, forming morally complex relationships which lead us to the same idea mentioned above, the difficulty to distinguish if they’re good or evil.
One example of morally gray characters in children’s stories is the Grinch from Dr. Seuss’s “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!”. The Grinch is a green, furry creature who initially despises Christmas and attempts to ruin it for the people in Whoville by stealing all their presents and decorations. Now, why is the Grinch considered a morally gray character if he’s done all those bad actions? Although the Grinch’s motivations may seem purely selfish and mean-spirited, we can start discovering his past and the actual reason behind his dislike for this holiday as the story unfolds, and it becomes clear that there is more to his actions than simple villainy. In fact, the Grinch has had a rough childhood, being bullied by the Whos themselves because he was different from them. This explains his loneliness and isolation, and his desire to ruin the Whos favorite time of the year. I bet you, like all other readers, started to get confused whether to justify the Grinch’s actions or to keep him on the bad character list, and this exactly gives you a clear picture of what a gray character looks like. While the Grinch initially acts in an immoral way, the story suggests that he is capable of change and redemption. He starts experiencing internal conflicts as he grapples with his feelings towards Christmas and the Whos, we start noticing later his adaptation to the Whos’ joy and love for Christmas. This adaptability shows the capability for growth and change and allows readers to relate to his struggles and appreciate his redemption.
Why are we interested in gray characters?
They’re more complex. Those typical worlds in black and white are so outdated; in fact, a world with shades of gray is much more interesting. We’ve all read stories about those typical characters whose actions are always predictable, for me I feel they are missing complexity. Why are they like this? What are their desires? In what way are their principles and concepts of morality being tested?
However, when a character learns from their mistakes and realizes they’ve been on the wrong side this whole time, or when they engage in questionable actions, are they justifiable? It’s those internal struggles, whether in a hero or a villain, that elevate a character’s complexity and make them infinitely more fascinating.
They’re more relatable. Even in fairytales, gray characters often mirror the reality of human behavior, acknowledging that people can be a mix of virtues and flaws. This realism in characterization allows readers to connect with the characters on a more profound level, creating empathy and understanding. The shades of grey in a character’s personality makes them more multidimensional; readers can see themselves in these characters, even when they don’t necessarily condone their choices.
They reshape our understanding. Gray characters challenge simplistic notions of good and evil, prompting us to question the complexities of morality and empathy. This depth adds layers to the narrative, fostering a richer and more thought-provoking storytelling experience.
They’re unpredictable. I mean, who wouldn’t want to be on the edge of their seats while reading a story? Gray characters defy stereotypes and conventional expectations, wouldn’t this be a dream come true for most of us? Their unpredictability keeps us guessing about their motives and actions, contributing to a sense of suspense and intrigue.
Additionally, the exploration of moral ambiguity allows for deeper exploration of themes such as redemption, transformation, and the impact of circumstances on individuals. No one really expects a bad guy to turn out good, but having a villain who’s purely evil is just plain dull. After all, what makes a good story better than unpredictable twists.
Tips on how to write a morally gray character
Now that you know what morally gray characters look like, here are some things to keep in mind when writing one.
Create a backstory. Gray characters must have a good reason for being the way they are. Assuming that every reason or story twist will resonate just because readers appreciate morally ambiguous characters is a weak assumption. Make a believable backstory to succeed in giving them a good motive, and a good logic.
Conflicting values. Being morally gray doesn’t imply an absence of internal struggles. Show that your character holds conflicting values or beliefs. This internal struggle can make them more relatable and add depth to their character. Make sure their decisions and actions reflect this internal conflict. Your character might for instance value loyalty but for some reason find themselves betraying someone they care about for their own good.
Ambiguous actions. Create scenarios where your character has to face difficult choices and choose between them. These choices should have both positive and negative consequences, forcing the character to drift away from black and white decisions.
Evolution and change. Consider adding your gray characters to the evolution list. Let them realize their mistakes and face each consequence, you’ll see them. Initially driven
by self-interest, they may gradually develop or change.
Keep the narrative in a veil of mystery. Withholding details like a well-guarded secret is your key to introduce a gray character. Ensure that only morsels of information are revealed at first, leaving the readers hungry for more. As the story progresses, you can start adding more details.
Charismatic characters. Infuse your character with an irresistible charm-let their humor sparkle, make them good looking or even make their mannerisms inherently likable that readers can’t help but to be drawn into the magnetic charisma of their suspense.
Gray areas in relationships. Create a web of relationships for your character, where alliances bur into conflicts, pushing the boundaries of moral certainties. Dive into the dynamics of connections and explore how such relationships influence their moral decisions. .
End Note
As you can see, morally gray characters make us think about tricky ideas. They come from how our world is and the challenges we face. When these characters don’t follow the unusual norms, we start to wonder about those rules. We figure out which ones keep us safe and which ones are part of a system that holds us back. Plus, as these characters go through a world where things aren’t just right or wrong, we get a chance to think about ourselves. When we stop seeing everything as purely good or bad, we start to see the world for what it is—flawed but fascinating.
