An ethical dilemma is a perplexing scenario that perpetuates molarity conflict whenever it
occurs. It mostly happens when a certain situation demands one to choose out of the existing
alternatives. In “Punishment” by Rabindranath, two brothers, Dukhiram stabs his wife to death,
after engaging in a domestic altercation. The act of killing committed by Dukhiram puts his
brother Chidam in an ethical dilemma crisis. He is now has a crucial choice to make, on whether
to reveal the act to the landlord (Ramlochan) about the heinous crime committed by his brother,
or lie that his wife Chandara was behind the killing, as a way of covering up his brother. It is an
ethical dilemma because Chidam happens to love his brother as well as his wife, and now faces
the difficult on whom to let go to safe another.
After brainstorming, he decides to lie against his wife, and promises her to organize for
the acquittal. On seeing the betrayal, the wife tends to question the love of her husband, and
decided to rather be hung than staying with him. The scenario ends in sorrow when Chidam’s
wife it put on the gallows and killed for the crime she is innocent about. The episode ends
tragically, and against Chidam’s plan, thus exposing the immoral nature of Chidam, which can
befall anybody who fails to make right decisions relating to ethical dilemmas. Given the
scenario, I would have exposed my brother for killing his wife rather than lying against my wife
because to me I feel it is immoral and unjust to implicate an innocent person at the expense of an
offender regardless of how we relate.
Surname 2
My decision to remain on the side of the truth is based on was I was taught while growing
up as a child. I was fortunate to be raised by parents who were strict with family and societal
values. My mother, in particular had taught me live well with people, avoid any scandalous act,
and speak the truth always. Since then, I have grown with truth, and vowed to pursue justice
regardless of which situation, and who it affects. Unlike Chidam who sold the blood of his wife
for a brother who is a murderer to survive, I would make sure that the offender would be arrested
and charged for the serious crime of murder. Attending college sharpened my experience
regarding handling ethical dilemma issues like the one discussed in the current study. For
instance, I learned to exercise tolerance and make use of moral sensitivity whenever a dilemma
strikes, since rushing would give rise to a non-informed decision, which would cause harm later
in life (Dean). In this case scenario, I would apply morality to determine the facts, and utilize
them to make the informed decision. The facts here are apparent that the killer was Dukhiram
and not Chandara. Although I would be feeling the pain of losing a brother to the gallows, I
would be at peace, rather than implicate Chandara and see her face the hung unjustly.
The characters involved in this scenario happen to be from India, where caste system has
been apparent for decades. The narration indicates that Dukhiram together with his brother and
wives were from the lower cast. In India, the lowest cast is known as Dalit, meaning
“untouchable.” Higher castes tended to discriminate the lower castes, and could not access
human rights as the rest in the community. It is the scenario witnessed in this episode, whereby
women are considered as inferior and voiceless to males. It is apparent that most decisions men
make benefits them most that their counterparts. Despite Chandara being her wife, Chidam
resolves to betray her in favor of his brother, who is a man in this case. He was even able to
Surname 3
deceive and convince her by uttering, “Don’t worry-if you do what I tell you, you’ll be quite
safe” (Tagore, 966). Women are faced with prejudice whenever they attempt to pursue their
rights.
Dukhiram, for instance decides to stab her wife to death, after she asks her right to receive
food, and prepare. Here, it is the husband who has failed to fulfill his duty, but ends up punishing
an innocent woman. The whole episode revolving around the identified ethical dilemma ends up
turning tragic, but mostly works against women. Under such circumstances, blaming Chidam
would not be justified since the society had established the foundation of women buttering and
abuse. Saving his brother than staying alone with the wife would not make sense according to
their traditions, because he believed that if he loses his “wife I can get another, but if my brother
is hanged, how can I replace him?” (Tagore 966). The low socioeconomic situations would have
also contributed to this tragedy. The issue of dispute was related to food, where the woman
demanded for some share to prepare for the family before the stabbing incident occurred. Had
the families in question been stable, an altercation would not have ensued.
Overall, the ethical dilemma presented in this episode is saddening, but it is influenced by
the cultural, social, and economical influences. The characters described in the text of analysis
hail from India, a country that saw the demarcations of its citizens to form various caste oriented
classes. The character who stubs the wife happens to come from the lower caste, which is
struggling with poverty, prejudice and anguish. Under such circumstances, utilization of ethical
principles to deliberate on an ethical dilemma is quite a crisis.
Surname 4
Works Cited
Dean, Tim. “How to Handle an Ethical Dilemma.” ACUITY, Chartered Accountants Australia
and New Zealand, 29 Jan. 2018, www.acuitymag.com/business/how-to-handle-an-
ethical-dilemma.
Tagore, Rabindranath, and William Radice. Punishment. ProQuest LLC, 2011.