Lord of the Flies, a novel written by William Golding, explores the inherent evil that lies within every human being. Through the characters and events in the novel, Golding portrays a bleak view of human nature, suggesting that without the constraints of society, people will inevitably succumb to their primal instincts and destructive behavior.
One quote that illustrates this theme is, "Maybe there is a beast... maybe it's only us." This quote, spoken by Ralph, suggests that the fear and violence that the boys experience on the island is not caused by an external beast, but rather by their own primal nature. The boys' fear of the beast is a manifestation of their own inner darkness and the potential for violence that exists within themselves.
Another quote that highlights Golding's negative view of human nature is, "I'm chief. You said so yourself. You can't do what you like." This quote, spoken by Jack, illustrates the power dynamics and desire for control that emerge among the boys as they try to establish a new society on the island. Jack's willingness to wield power and control over the others reveals the inherent selfishness and desire for domination that exists within human nature.
The character of Simon also serves as a foil to the other boys, representing a more compassionate and understanding view of human nature. In contrast to the violence and savagery of the other boys, Simon is characterized by his sensitivity and desire for unity. One quote that demonstrates Simon's more positive view of human nature is, "Maybe there is a beast... maybe it's only us." This quote suggests that Simon believes that the evil and violence that the boys experience on the island are a result of their own inner turmoil and lack of understanding, rather than an external force.
In conclusion, Lord of the Flies presents a bleak view of human nature, suggesting that without the constraints of society, people will inevitably succumb to their primal instincts and destructive behavior. The quotes discussed in this essay illustrate Golding's belief that the potential for violence and selfishness exists within all individuals, and that it is only through the guidance of societal norms and values that people are able to resist their more primal desires.
Lord Of The Flies And Human Nature Thesis Essay Example
Lord Of The Flies Human Nature 1057 Words 5 Pages Jack proposes that he forms his own tribe. Simon was the only boy on the island who figured out that the beast was not an external threat, it was inside of them. In the beginning of the novel, the boys were stranded on the island with no parental guardians, and the exploration begins with how they will survive. When he tries to inform the other boys of his findings he is killed by them because they were caught in the frenzy and passion of the hunt. All humans are born with a dark, savage side that society and civilization pushed down, and the only way to resist this evil side is to confront yourself. Or maybe, the opposite would occur and chaos and mayhem would ensue.
Essay On Human Nature In Lord Of The Flies
And even before the boys become fully savage under Jack, Golding shows hints of the savage beast within society by showing Piggy's love of food, the way the boys laugh when Jack mocks Piggy, and all the boys' irrational fear of the " beast. Even the best people still have evil thoughts which demonstrate that evil exists in all of us, however much that the trait is suppressed. This quote is clearly shown in Lord of the Flies as all the characters changed throughout the story. Why things are the way they are? So we've got to do the right things. So basically al that can be gathered by thisinformation is that never rely on human nature to remain the same. As Simon thought this, he turned to the poor broken thing that sat stinking by his side.
Lord of The Flies: Human Nature Essay Example
Golding, however, utilized the teachings of psychologist Sigmund Freud, who suggested that there is evil in everyone that must be kept in check by the conscience. Jack suddenly stands up. As a character Piggy represents the real world. While the true nature of human behavior is most likely located between these two positions, Lord of the Flies urges us to look deep within our own natures and confront whatever beasts may be lurking there. It is part of their Human Nature to return back to where they came from, which is what they try to do. Are people inherently good and evil is an external condition that invades that goodness? In this novel, a group of young boys survive a plane crash and land on a deserted island where they attempt to create a society from scratch, but ultimately fall into chaos and barbarity. Examples in history can also prove that human nature can be a terrible thing and no matter what, there are always going to be bad people who can embody the sense that human nature is evil.
