Reply To: The Searcher: exploration of morality
I think Cal’s definition is mostly right. But the three manners, etiquette, and morals are constantly challenged when they come against an individual, group, or culture that has different definitions of them. One would like to think that morals don’t change and are fixed, but as others have pointed out, one of the central themes of the book is Cal trying to define his morality and fix his moral compass. The story he remembers about his policing days with the Black youth punctuates this. And the quote that Nancy references – where he’s debating what to tell Trey about her brother – is another moment where he recognizes that he’s lost his way.
As Jane and Amy point out, Cal thinks morality is something a person should almost have as an instinct. It should be “black and white.” But through his search for Brendan and helping Trey, I think his outlook is maturing and becoming more nuanced. I think through helping Trey and exposing Mart, he grows and finds his way back to his moral centre. The two are like a scale of light and dark that Cal balances through his actions and through which Cal balances himself.
