In Alden Bell’s "The Reapers are the Angels" ethical behaviour is largely influenced by the most basic instinct: survival. The protagonist Temple lives in a world of zombies and these conditions coerce her to kill “meatskins” and grieve the loss of loved ones. The basic conception of ethics “What shall I do?” (cf. Schwerdtfeger, 2005, 14) is turned into the question: “Why did I have to do that?” and most importantly “Am I evil?”. Temple is determined to answer this question with “Yes!”. However, she is not depicted as such a person.
This paper’s aim is to discuss her evilness and to conclude that she is in fact not evil at all. For that reason two basic questions follow: Why does she think so? and how is she characterised? In order to answer these questions first an ethical theory is needed which shows that Temple is living an ethical life. Seneca, a Roman philosopher, provides this theory.
Furthermore, the term evil has to be explained and defined as far as it is possible. Lastly, I will discuss Temple’s killing scenes in The Reapers are the Angels and the two fellow, major characters Moses and Maury in terms of the before assembled theories in order to evaluate her evilness and to answer the above uttered questions.
Table of Contents
- 1. INTRODUCTION
- 2. ETHICS AND EVIL
- 2.1 Seneca
- 2.1.1 Stoicism
- 2.1.2 How to master fate
- 2.1.3 Human nature
- 2.1.4 Ethical behaviour and value
- 2.2 Evil
- 2.2.1 Böse' and 'Übel'
- 2.2.2 Pleasure and Pain
- 3. THE REAPERS ARE THE ANGELS
- 3.1 An evil post-apocalyptic world?
- 3.2 Temple
- 3.3 Moses and Maury
- 4. CONCLUSION – THE EHTICAL AND NON-EVIL TEMPLE
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to analyze the ethical behavior of Temple, the protagonist in Alden Bell's The Reapers Are the Angels, and argue that despite her actions, she is not evil. It will explore whether her perception of herself as evil is justified and examine her characterization within the context of the novel's post-apocalyptic setting. This analysis uses Seneca's Stoic philosophy as a framework to evaluate Temple's actions.
- The application of Stoic philosophy to the assessment of moral choices in a post-apocalyptic context.
- The definition and interpretation of "evil" within the narrative and philosophical framework.
- An examination of Temple's character and motivations in light of her survival in a world overrun by zombies.
- An analysis of the relationships between Temple, Moses, and Maury, and how these interactions contribute to her understanding of morality.
- The exploration of the tension between survival instincts and ethical behavior.
Chapter Summaries
1. INTRODUCTION: This introductory chapter establishes the paper's central argument: that Temple, the protagonist of Alden Bell's *The Reapers Are the Angels*, is not evil despite her actions. It sets the stage by referencing the enduring connection between philosophy, literature, and ethics, highlighting the capacity of literature to both uphold and subvert moral values. The chapter introduces the central question: is Temple's behavior within the context of the post-apocalyptic world truly evil? This is framed within the context of the broader question of ethical behavior when survival is paramount. The introduction lays the groundwork for the philosophical underpinnings of the analysis, foreshadowing the application of Seneca's Stoicism to assess Temple's actions.
2. ETHICS AND EVIL: This chapter provides the theoretical framework for the subsequent analysis of Temple's character and actions. It begins with an introduction to the Stoic philosophy of Lucius Annaeus Seneca, emphasizing the concepts of logos, the inherent goodness of human nature, and the importance of reason and virtue in overcoming adversity. The chapter specifically examines Seneca's views on fate, arguing that the Stoic ideal involves embracing one's circumstances and acting virtuously regardless of external pressures. The concept of evil is also explored and analyzed as it pertains to the characters' actions and dilemmas in the chosen text. The chapter lays a strong foundation, setting the scene for the detailed exploration of Temple's character in relation to these philosophical tenets.
3. THE REAPERS ARE THE ANGELS: This chapter delves into a detailed analysis of Alden Bell's *The Reapers Are the Angels*, focusing on Temple's experiences, actions, and relationships with other major characters like Moses and Maury. It examines specific instances of violence or difficult choices within the narrative context, analyzing them through the lens of Seneca's Stoicism. The analysis evaluates whether Temple's actions, though sometimes violent and seemingly morally questionable, are consistent with or deviate from Stoic principles of virtue, reason, and acceptance of fate. The chapter likely explores how the post-apocalyptic setting influences the characters' choices and examines the consequences of these choices. It will likely use detailed examples from the novel to illustrate these points.
Keywords
Stoicism, Seneca, ethics, evil, post-apocalyptic fiction, The Reapers Are the Angels, Alden Bell, survival, morality, virtue, reason, fate, Temple, Moses, Maury.
Frequently Asked Questions: Alden Bell's *The Reapers Are the Angels* - An Ethical Analysis
What is the main argument of this paper?
The paper argues that Temple, the protagonist in Alden Bell's The Reapers Are the Angels, is not evil despite her actions within the post-apocalyptic setting. It uses Seneca's Stoic philosophy to analyze her choices and determine if her self-perception of evil is justified.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The paper explores the application of Stoic philosophy to moral choices in a post-apocalyptic setting, defines and interprets "evil" within both narrative and philosophical contexts, examines Temple's character and motivations, analyzes her relationships with Moses and Maury, and investigates the tension between survival instincts and ethical behavior.
What is the structure of the paper?
The paper is structured into four chapters: An introduction establishing the central argument; a chapter exploring Stoic philosophy and the concept of evil; a chapter analyzing The Reapers Are the Angels through a Stoic lens, focusing on Temple's actions and relationships; and a conclusion summarizing the findings.
How does the paper utilize Seneca's Stoicism?
Seneca's Stoicism serves as the primary philosophical framework for evaluating Temple's actions. Concepts like logos, the inherent goodness of human nature, reason, virtue, and the acceptance of fate are used to assess whether Temple's choices, even violent ones, align with Stoic principles.
What specific aspects of Temple's character are analyzed?
The analysis examines Temple's perceptions, motivations, and actions within the context of her survival in a zombie-infested world. Her relationships with Moses and Maury are also examined to understand how these interactions shape her moral understanding.
What is the significance of the post-apocalyptic setting?
The post-apocalyptic setting creates a unique context for exploring ethical dilemmas. The paper examines how the extreme circumstances of survival influence the characters' choices and the consequences of these choices.
What are some of the key terms or concepts used in the analysis?
Key terms include Stoicism, Seneca, ethics, evil, post-apocalyptic fiction, survival, morality, virtue, reason, fate, and the names of the key characters: Temple, Moses, and Maury.
What is the overall conclusion of the paper likely to be?
The conclusion will likely argue that despite the morally gray areas presented by Temple's actions in the harsh realities of the post-apocalyptic world, her behavior is not inherently evil when judged through the lens of Stoic philosophy.
- Quote paper
- Eva Heuft (Author), 2014, Alden Bell's "The Reapers are the Angels". Temple’s evilness and ethical behaviour, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/337469
