To Judge or Not to Judge?

I eagerly soak up advice about writing from every source I can find: books, writers' workshops, author blogs, online magazines, critique groups, etc. The information gleaned from these has benefited me and my work tremendously - teaching me some of the finer points of the craft, developing my editor's ear, demystifying the business end of the publishing world, and encouraging me through the experiences of others. However, one piece of instruction that has kept me pondering is this: "It is not the writer's job to judge; it is the writer's job to reveal." An interesting statement, but I'm not sure I entirely understand or agree with it.

I can appreciate the need to avoid flagrant sermonizing. After all, the reader bought your book primarily for entertainment; no need to hit them over the head with "...and the moral of the story is..." On the other hand, it is impossible to write a novel (or live life) in a moral vacuum, however diligently someone may try. What the author believes to be right and wrong will inevitably color the story s/he chooses to tell and the words s/he uses to tell it, at least minimally. Not only is this unavoidable, I think it's desirable. Have you ever read a book or seen a movie where all moral judgement is scrupulously shunned? I'm left feeling cheated. I wonder, what was the point? Nothing was achieved. Nothing was learned. Nothing of value was experienced.

Engaging stories (even comedies) draw us into the struggle of life-like characters against some kind of foe (a person, a monster, an army, circumstance, the elements, or something within himself). It may be an oversimplification to say it's always a battle of good versus evil, but, when boiled down to the essence, that's almost always the case. How those waring elements are portrayed is at the discretion (the judgement) of the author. You may not always agree with how s/he defines right and wrong. Yet, if the author has done his/her job properly, you will always have a reaction - you will always feel something genuine and worthwhile in response. In the end, you are satisfied knowing you have invested your time, money, and emotions well.