Why is it that in novels with a message, the villains are so reduced that it is as if they come to us with a sign on their forehead saying: Beware, I am a monster? Doesn't the Koran state that Satan is a seducer, a tempter with an insidious smile?
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In novels that carry a moral lesson, antagonists often appear overly simplistic, almost cartoonish. They are portrayed so clearly as villains that it feels as though they bear a label announcing their malicious intent. This reduction of complexity undermines the darker, more nuanced aspects of human nature, leading to a lack of depth in the exploration of evil.
Azar Nafisi reflects on the portrayal of evil in literature by referencing the Koran's depiction of Satan as a charming, deceptive figure rather than a straightforward monster. This insight suggests that true malevolence is often hidden behind a facade, compelling us to confront the subtler, more insidious nature of wrongdoing rather than relying on simplistic characterizations.
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