Citation

Liu X, Dai H. CLCWeb - Comparative Literature and Culture 2015; 17(5).

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015)

DOI

10.7771/1481-4374.2745

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In their article "Ethical Dilemma and Nihilism in Munro's 'Passion'" Xiying Liu and Hongbin Dai discuss ethics in Alice Munro's short story "Passion." When attempting to escape the shackles of multiple ethical identities, the short story's protagonist Grace encounters dilemmas and in consequence makes wrong decisions with regard to the principle of ethics. The other protagonist of the story, Neil, commits suicide demonstrating that he breaks off all relationship with the world. Liu and Dai argue that Neil's death deconstructs Grace's ethical dilemmas and thus the narrative constructs a sense of nihilism. Liu and Dai posit that Munro's short story reveals the humility, fragility, and complexity of human nature. © Purdue University.

Language: en