Coffeehouse #4

Yerime Dieye

Prof. Sean Scanlan

English 1121

12/13/2022

“Pursuit of Righteousness”

In the novel American Spy by Lauren Wilkinson, Marie Mitchell & Thomas Sankara are complex and fascinating characters who are guided by a set of ethics that shape their motivations and actions. In Professor Scanlan’s “Five Types of Ethics” it states “deontology falls within the domain of rules that guide and assess our choices of what we ought to do.”(Scanlan, P.1) In this essay, I will focus on the deontology ethics that drive Marie Mitchell and Thomas Sankara actions throughout the novel and their commitment to justice. Furthermore, on how Marie Mitchell and Thomas Sankara represent two sides of the same moral compass, and their respective deontology ethics offer a unique perspective on the value of morality in a world full of manipulation and deception. 

Marie’s deontological ethics are based on a strict devotion to the law. She is a by-the-book agent who believes in following the rules and regulations that govern her job. She is willing to take risks and do whatever is necessary to accomplish her mission, but she never deviates from her moral code. Marie’s sense of deontological ethics are demonstrated when she refuses to take part in certain operations. She demonstrates a strong sense of morality by refusing to use her power to manipulate people into doing what she wants. In the novel, Marie says, “I didn’t want to participate in spying on citizens who weren’t doing anything illegal.” (Wilkinson, 2019, p.46). This statement demonstrates Marie’s ethical stance and her belief that her moral obligations and duties to others should take precedence over her loyalty to her country. Not only that, but she is driven by a strong sense of justice and believes in doing the right thing, no matter what the cost. Marie is also faced with the difficult decision of whether to use violence. Though she is a trained FBI agent, Marie is hesitant to use violence to achieve her mission. Her sense of deontology is seen in her reluctance to use violence as a means of achieving her goals. She is aware of her moral responsibility to act in a way that is consistent with her own values and beliefs. In the novel, Marie says, “It’s too much risk. And there are soldiers living there. I don’t want to hurt anyone innocent” (Wilkinson, 2019, p.232). This statement demonstrates Marie’s understanding of her moral responsibility and her commitment to acting in a way that she can be proud of.

Marie is presented with a difficult moral dilemma. She is asked to use her skills as an FBI agent to help overthrow the government of a foreign country. Throughout the novel, Marie expresses moral hesitation and a sense of guilt for the choices she makes. She questions the morality of her actions and the potential consequences her mission could have on the citizens of Burkina Faso. She is aware of her responsibility to her country, yet she is also aware that her actions could result in the death or imprisonment of innocent people. Throughout the novel, Marie is faced with the difficult decision of whether to follow the orders of her country and help to overthrow the government of Burkina Faso. Despite the difficult choices she must make, Marie’s sense of deontology is evident in her actions. She demonstrates a strong sense of morality and a commitment to acting in a way that is consistent with her own values and beliefs. In the end, Marie is able to reconcile her sense of duty to her country with her own moral obligations and duties to others, including her children. 

Thomas Sankara, the leader of the revolutionary government of Burkina Faso in the 1980s. The novel paints a vivid picture of Sankara’s deontology ethics, which are based on a strong commitment to the principles of justice, fairness, and morality. This was based on the fact that “Sankara has long been a hero to youth across the African continent. The vision that he advanced of internationalism and pan-African humanism resonated profoundly.”(Aidi, 2015) Sankara refused to accept foreign aid, and instead encouraged the people of Burkina Faso to rely on their own resources to develop the country. Sankara also sought to reduce government expenditures, reduce corruption, and promote the equitable distribution of wealth. Sankara’s deontology ethics were based on the idea that people have a moral obligation to act in a way that benefits the greater good. On August 04, Sankara and his party overthrew Jean-Baptiste Ouedraogo, in the aftermath of the coup “Sankara initially focused on applying the philosophy of the revolution to transforming the national army, improving policies concerning women, and economic development.”(Figueiredo, 2008) Sankara believed that individuals should set aside their own interests in the sake of the collective. This is demonstrated by his attempts to reduce poverty and inequality in Burkina Faso, which included the redistribution of land, the introduction of a minimum wage, and the promotion of equality between men and women.

The deontology ethics of Marie Mitchell and Thomas Sankara offer an interesting contrast in American Spy. On the one hand, Marie is a by-the-book agent who believes in following the rules and regulations at all costs. On the other, Thomas is a revolutionary who is willing to break the law and use violence if it serves the greater good. Both characters demonstrate the power of morality in a world full of manipulation and deceit. By examining their deontology ethics, American Spy, provides a unique perspective on the value of morality in a complex and ever-changing world.