The Representation of Virtues and Vices of the Characters in Deadly 7 Inside Me (2021)

Authors

  • Fedrick Chandra Petra Christian University
  • Theophilus Joko Riyanto Petra Christian University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.9744/katakita.14.1.27-35

Keywords:

fantasy genre, moral dualism, moral foundation, representation of vices and virtues, Webtoon

Abstract

This study explores how the virtues and vices of the main characters are represented in Deadly 7 Inside Me and why the main characters exercise them. This webtoon is interesting to analyze because of how it portrays the characters’ virtues and vices. Both Jonathan Haidt’s “Moral Foundation” theory and Carl Jung’s “Moral Dualism” theory are applied in the analysis. This study reveals that the main characters’ virtues and vices based on moral dualism, are aligned with the six moral foundations, which are Care/Harm, Loyalty/Betrayal, Fairness/Cheating, Authority/Subversion, Sanctity/Degradation, and Liberty/Oppression. This study also reveals that empathy, a sense of justice, lack of self-control, desire for dominance, and moral disobedience, trigger their virtues and vices. In conclusion, these findings show that people cannot be purely virtuous or vicious because they have virtues and vices within them. 

References

Domenici, G. (2019). Jung's Nietzsche Zarathustra, The Red Book, and “visionary” works. Springer Nature. https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-17670-9

Jang, W., & Song, J. E. (2017). Webtoon as a new Korean wave in the process of glocalization. Ateneo Journals. https://barnettcenter.osu.edu/sites/default/files/2019-08/webtoon_as_a_new_korean_ave.pdf

Simpson, A. (2017). Moral foundations theory: Background, review, and scaffolding for future research. Miami University. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ain-Simpson/publication/308089740_Moral_Foundations_Theory_Background_Review_and_Scaffolding_for_Future_Research/links/58e63f308ae9275d4eb906b/Moral-Foundations-Theory-Background-Review-and-Scaffolding-for-Future Research.pdf?

Winther, M. (2020). Carl Jung, Privatio Boni and the return of Manichaeism. academia.edu.https://www.academia.edu/42136617/Carl_Jung_privatio_boni_and_the_return_of_Manichaeism

Downloads

Published

2026-03-30

Issue

Vol. 14 No. 1 (2026)

Section

Articles

License

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:

    1. Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal. 
    2. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal. 
    3. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).