How does literature deal with these questions?

Good versus evil is a very common theme in many different types of literature. The conflict between good and evil is one of the most common conventional themes in literature, and is sometimes considered to be a universal part of the human condition. There are several variations on this conflict, one being the battle between individuals or ideologies, with one side good, the other evil. While certainly not as widely seen as the direct good vs. evil conflict, the concept of "individual vs. self" is often much more compelling to a reader/watcher, especially if it is the protagonist. In literature it requires well-written character development in order to truly succeed. The most of the novels, the main character is the “good” one and the protagonist is the evil one. It depends on what kind of conflict it is for example a person versus another person or a person versus the society and etc.

In literature the characters are clearly portrayed as evil or good, usually by the end of the story the reader knows which character is evil or not. For instance the Harry Potter books’ dramatic portray of a fight between good and evil gives general outline of what evil is, particularly moral evil. The books portray evil by using three main concepts, evil is privation or a deformity parasitic on something good, evil due to this weakness, must accordingly mask itself by deceit; and moral evil can only really exist as the result of free choice. However many people might view it differently for example they might think that potter books show that evil doesn’t really exist. Evil does not really exist in itself, but is a privation, a lacking in what something is supposed to be. It is a lacking of what is good.

Many people believe simply believe evil characters are the ones that makes the story interesting. Unlike much of modern literature and media, Tolkien attempts, and succeeds, in portraying goodness as interesting, and evil as boring. Many young people in modern society have a tendency to view evil as interesting and exciting, and good as dull and boring. All that many young people know about evil is what they see on TV and in the movies, or read in novels. Tolkien, however, has captured the minds and hearts of many modern youth, and has succeeded in making them see the interesting side of goodness. How Tolkien accomplishes this is essentially very simple. Tolkien portrays good and evil accurately rather than how they are often portrayed in the movies. In modern movies, even heroes have a "Bad side". It is the portrayal of evil as "cool" in the media that leaves many youth with that false impression. For example, the most recent star wars movies create this view of evil. Darth Vader is evil, but he has "cool" powers such as lightning bolts that the good Jedi's do not have. Tolkien, however, exposes evil for what it truly is, boring, repetitive, and miserable.