Unravelling the Moral Development Stages of Sonya Kantor in Veronica Roth’s Poster Girl through Kohlberg’s Moral Development Theory

Abstract

Morality is a cornerstone of a sustainable and healthy society; it shapes individuals’ behaviours and contributes to the overall harmony of a community. The profound impact of morals on society has prompted investigations into their developmental processes within individuals. American psychologist, Lawrence Kohlberg insinuated a comprehensive theory of moral development that stipulates a outline for understanding the stages individuals traverse on their moral journey from childhood to adulthood. Kohlberg’s theory delineates six stages across three levels: preconventional, conventional, and post-conventional. This study seeks to use Kohlberg’s theory in the dystopian fiction Poster Girl by Veronica Roth, with a specific focus on the character Sonya Kantor. Sonya undergoes a transformative moral journey, after recognising the inadequacies in her previously held values and beliefs. The research analyses Sonya’s moral development in alignment with the six stages delineated by Kohlberg, shedding light on the intricate nuances of her evolving moral perspectives.