Moral Ambiguity In Manon Lescaut

Manon Lescaut
This essay will discuss whether the novel, Manon Lescaut (1731), is a story of “moral treatise” meant to ward individuals away from the life of immorality and sin through a practical example or if the novel temps those into immoral behaviour. The essay will look at the historical context in which the story was written, the moral ambiguity and sexuality of the characters like Manon and des Grieux- whether it promotes or discourages immoral actions and finally look at the language, style and structure of Manon Lescaut.
This story focuses on a young man, the Chevalier des Grieux, who accidently meets a young and beautiful woman, Manon Lescaut who is presently being sent to a nunnery against her will. The two young lovers find
Manon and des Grieux are both imprisoned, forced into detention and deported which is meant to supress their natural sexuality (Turnell,1959: 41). The voice of morality within the text is Tiberge and des Grieux father (Turnell,1959: 42). Despite the fact that when the reader is introduced to the Chevailer he is just as morally upright as Tiberge but once the Chevailer meets Manon his passion and pleasure for her weakens his virtue (Turnell,1959: 42). Tiberge is older than des Grieux and therefore he is wiser and tries to persuade des Grieux to abandon his feelings of love for it is evil and does not lead to happiness but only provides the way to damnation (Turnell,1959: 43). Tiberge is seen as a savoir within the novel because he always appears at moments of distress for des Grieux. Tiberge is seen as a moral character because he is against the idea of des Grieux marrying Manon and going against the priesthood. However, Tiberge visits des Grieux during his confinement in his father’s home (pp. 51). Tiberge lends des Grieux money after the robbery of his home and fire at Chaillot (pp. 88). Tiberge also visits des Grieux during his imprisonment in Saint-Lazare (pp.137) and finally, Tiberge travels to New Orleans just to help des Grieux and help him return home (pp. 316). Despite Tiberge constantly disapproving of his friend, Tiberge is an enabler when it comes to helping des Grieux. Tiberge financial supports des Grieux and Manon when they need money even though the two characters are living in ‘sin’ by living as a married couple and not being married. Therefore, Tiberge despite being a ‘moral compass’ within the novel is more complex than that because he rejects Manon and des Grieux behaviour but helps them when they are in