Good Vs. Evil

By georgelthomas on 1 Apr 2025 • ( 1 )

Hi everyone! I hope you’re all well. Today, I am exploring why we seem to be drawn again and again to the theme of good vs. evil. Let’s get to it!

The Universal Appeal of Good Vs Evil

The more books and films I consume, the more I wonder why human beings find the duality of good and evil so compelling. Seriously — think about how it shows up in nearly every culture. Whether it’s ancient Greek mythology (Zeus vs the Titans) or modern storytelling (Harry Potter vs Voldemort), this battle is always there.

Here are three reasons that might help to explain why:

1 It’s Innately Relatable
Deep down, we all like to root for someone — or something. Good versus evil gives us clear stakes to invest in. We want Batman to defeat the Joker and the rest of Gotham’s nasties. We cheer on Aslan and the Narnians in their fight against the White Witch in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe because we become invested; it feels like we’re fighting, too.

It mirrors an internal conflict we grapple with daily. Do I take the high road, or do I snap at that annoyingly loud coworker or neighbour? Stories exploring the theme of good and evil resonate because they reflect our own moral dilemmas, even in heightened, fantastical ways.

2 It’s Simple yet Versatile
Another reason good and evil reign supreme is its adaptability. It can be a straightforward backdrop — like cowboys (good guys) against outlaws (bad guys) in old-school Westerns. Or, it can become a deep and philosophical discussion — think of Gregory Maguire’s novel Wicked, which recounts the life and times of the Wicked Witch of the West and asks us,“What really is good? And what really is evil?”

3 It’s Universally Human
As we established at the start, there’s no culture, era or corner of the globe where you won’t find stories of moral conflict. From ancient tales like Pandora’s Box to modern dramas like Breaking Bad, this theme is part of our collective human storytelling DNA.

Overall, Fiction gives us a playground to explore simple conflicts safely — to question motives, empathize with flawed characters, and think deeply about what it means to do the right thing or, in some circumstances, what it might mean to do the wrong thing but for the right reasons.

If this theme fascinates you as much as it does me, I’d love to hear about your favourite “good vs evil” stories and characters in the comments below. Whether it’s a guilty pleasure movie, an obscure indie book, or a bestselling graphic novel, let me know why those stories resonate so much!

And if you’re a writer working on something that explores this theme, remember — it’s not about sticking to formulas but about creating something that feels true to the human experience. Readers will always love a character who, against all odds, fights back against the darkness with their innate or learned “goodness” — even if that darkness comes from within themselves.”

Thank you, as ever, for reading today’s post. It means a lot!

Until next time,

George