On Ethical Identity And Ethical Choice In Gide’s Moral Trilogy

Andre Gide (1869-1951) is one of the most important writers in the 20th century France. It can be clearly found in his works that he boldly expresses his love for truth, his sharp psychological insights into society, difficult ethical choice of life and various problems encountered while making these-choices. He makes great achievements in his literary creation, represented by Pastoral Symphony, which won him the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1947. During his lifetime, he develops a wide concern for various matters like religion, love, family, sex, and politics and so on; has an enthusiastic praise for liberation and freedom and cordially shoulders the most possibility in human nature. As the witness and creator of the times, Gide is regarded as the spiritual tutor of the up-rising writers in the French literary circles like Sartre and Camus. In addition, Gide is also one of the most controversial writers in the 20th century. His indulgence and his subversion have once given him a tattered reputation. His defense for homosexuality and his unique proposition on morality and ethics still cause wide concern and hot discussion even today. His moral trilogy:Strait is the Gate, Pastoral Symphony and the Immoralist are known for their descriptions for moral and ethical values.This paper is divided into four chapters. The first chapter gives an introduction to Gide’s moral trilogy, which reflects his important ideological trend during his lifetime and serves as a miniature for his life. A very important feature of his character--Narcissus complex will be introduced as to how it goes through his works and literary value. Chapter two gives a presentation of the confusion of dual ethical identity of the three protagonists, namely confusion about religious identity, confusion about social ethics identity which brings the protagonist certain fate and influence and thoughts about the protagonist’s ethical identity from certain ethical environment. Chapter three is an analysis of the protagonist’s choice of ethical routes. The disorder in ethical identity leads to ethical tragedy. Chapter four is the protagonist’s ethical lesson learnt from ethical enlightenment after ethical struggle.