Life, and stories, are filled with tough choices. Sometimes, those choices aren’t simply between good and bad, but between two or more undesirable options. This is where the literary device of a dilemma comes into play. Understanding what a dilemma is, and how it functions in narrative, can greatly enhance your appreciation of storytelling and deepen your own writing craft.
What is a Dilemma?
A dilemma is a situation that requires a difficult decision. Critically, a true dilemma presents a choice between options that are equally undesirable, or where choosing one option inherently means losing something valuable associated with the other. It’s not merely a difficult choice; it’s a choice where all available options lead to some kind of negative consequence. The word itself comes from the Greek meaning ‘double difficulty’.
Simple Examples of Dilemmas
Here are a few straightforward examples:
- You can either tell the truth and hurt a friend’s feelings, or lie to protect them, potentially causing greater harm later.
- You can save a stranger from a burning building, risking your own life, or you can prioritize your own safety.
- You have limited funds and must choose between buying groceries or paying the rent.
Notice that in each case, there’s no easy or perfect solution. Each path leads to a negative outcome.
Dilemmas in Literature: More Complex Examples
While simple dilemmas exist in everyday life, literature often employs more nuanced and complex versions to drive plot, develop character, and explore themes. Let’s examine some examples from well known stories:
Sophocles’ Antigone: The Clash of Laws
In Sophocles’ classic tragedy, Antigone faces a devastating dilemma. She learns her brother Polynices has been killed in battle and deemed a traitor by King Creon, who forbids his burial. Antigone believes in the divine law that demands proper burial for all, regardless of political allegiance. Her dilemma is this: obey the king’s law and let her brother’s soul wander unrested, or obey the gods’ law and face death for treason. This isn’t a simple question of right and wrong, but a conflict between two powerful, legitimate, but opposing forces.
Shakespeare’s Hamlet: To Be or Not To Be
Hamlet’s famous “To be or not to be” soliloquy is a masterclass in internal dilemma. He contemplates suicide as an escape from the suffering caused by his father’s death and his mother’s hasty remarriage. However, he fears the unknown of the afterlife. His dilemma isn’t whether life is good or bad, but whether to endure the pain of existence or risk the uncertainties of death. He’s trapped between two frightening possibilities.
The Lord of the Rings: Frodo’s Burden
Frodo Baggins faces a monumental dilemma throughout The Lord of the Rings. He must carry the One Ring to Mount Doom and destroy it, saving Middle‑earth from Sauron’s evil. Yet the Ring corrupts anyone who carries it, eroding willpower and threatening to turn them into a creature of darkness. His dilemma is not only the physical journey; it is the decision to risk his own humanity and sacrifice his innocence to save all of Middle‑earth. He must choose between becoming corrupted or failing to complete his quest.
A Tale of Two Cities: Sydney Carton’s Sacrifice
In Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities, Sydney Carton volunteers to take the place of Charles Darnay, who is sentenced to death during the French Revolution. Carton knows that this means his own death, but he sees it as a way to redeem his wasted life and secure a future for Lucie Manette, whom he secretly loves. His dilemma isn’t about life and death, but about self‑sacrifice versus self‑preservation, and the weight of his past versus the hope for a better future through his final act.
Types of Dilemmas in Storytelling
While all dilemmas involve difficult choices, they can manifest in different ways within a narrative:
- Moral Dilemmas: These involve conflicts between different moral principles. For example, choosing between honesty and loyalty.
- Ethical Dilemmas: These often arise in professional contexts, involving conflicts between personal values and professional obligations.
- Practical Dilemmas: These involve choosing between two courses of action with limited resources or time.
- Emotional Dilemmas: These arise from conflicting feelings or desires, such as choosing between love and duty.
The Function of Dilemmas in Narrative
Dilemmas aren’t simply plot devices; they serve several important functions in storytelling:
- Character Development: How a character responds to a dilemma reveals their values, beliefs, and personality.
- Plot Progression: Dilemmas create conflict and drive the story forward.
- Thematic Exploration: Dilemmas can be used to explore complex themes such as morality, justice, and the human condition.
- Increased Reader Engagement: Presenting a character with a compelling dilemma invites the reader to consider what they would do in the same situation.
Crafting Effective Dilemmas in Your Writing
If you are an aspiring writer, here are some tips for creating compelling dilemmas in your stories:
| Establish High Stakes | The consequences of each choice should be significant for the character and the story. |
| Make Both Options Appealing (or at least understandable) | Avoid making one option obviously superior to the other. The character should genuinely struggle with the decision. |
| Create Internal Conflict | The dilemma should challenge the character’s values and beliefs, forcing them to confront their own flaws and weaknesses. |
| Avoid Easy Solutions | A true dilemma should not have a simple or convenient answer. The character should have to make a difficult choice with lasting consequences. |
In conclusion, the dilemma is a powerful literary device that can add depth, complexity, and emotional resonance to your stories. By understanding how dilemmas work and how to craft them effectively, you can create narratives that are both engaging and thought‑provoking. A well‑constructed dilemma doesn’t just move the plot forward; it illuminates the human condition and invites readers to contemplate the complexities of life’s difficult choices.