The theme of Lord of the Flies has been questioned for decades Essay Example
The theme of Lord of the Flies has been questioned for decades Essay Example

The theme of Lord of the Flies has been questioned for decades Essay Example

Available Only on StudyHippo
View Entire Sample
Text preview

Golding's "Lord of the Flies" delves into the defects of society, attributing them to the flaws in human nature. The author contends that it is the ethical disposition of individuals, rather than any political system, that determines the shape of a society. For years, the theme of the novel has been a subject of debate, with Golding asserting that it aims to trace societal issues back to mankind's sinful nature.

The book was written to demonstrate how political systems cannot effectively govern society without first considering the flaws of human nature. Golding's novel illustrates these flaws through the characters of Jack and his hunters. Golding shows that men are inherently evil; when left to their own devices, they will return to the savage behaviors of their ancestors. As William Golding stated, "There was the brilliant

...

world of hunting, tactics, fierce exhilaration, skill, and there was the world of longing and baffled common-sense." This is evident in the novel towards the end when the tribe hunts Ralph.

Matters had reached a point of turmoil. The naval officer who rescues the boys acknowledges their descent into savagery. The presence of the Lord of the Flies, portrayed as a tangible entity on the island, instills fear in the boys. However, the true nature of the beast is internal. It resides within the souls and minds of the boys, guiding them towards the inherent chaos that arises in the absence of rational adults.

Only Simon comprehends the true essence of the beast, yet he is slain upon attempting to disclose the existence of the Lord of the Flies to the boys. This exemplifies how a government is incapable of repressing human nature

View entire sample
Join StudyHippo to see entire essay

The deceased body suspended in the parachute signifies the termination of adult supervision over the boys stranded on the island. While the individual trapped in the parachute endures an extended demise, the Beast, referred to as the Lord of the Flies, flourishes as it gains control over Jack and a majority of the remaining boys on the island. Consequently, as the structure and discipline of the adult realm dwindle, anarchy among the children escalates exponentially. Simon shares a special bond with the person trapped in the parachute. He instinctively ascends the mountain to ascertain whether this individual is still alive.

When Simon discovers the man's death and the Beast's existence, he experiences a nervous breakdown. The conversation between Simon and the Lord of the Flies represents the moral conflict that illustrates mankind's incapability to overcome their inner evil. Piggy and Jack serve as symbols of two contrasting behaviors, with Ralph caught between them. As stated in Chapter 3, "How can you expect to be rescued if you don't prioritize and behave appropriately?" Piggy favors adhering to rules set by his aunt, whereas Jack desires power.

The quote "If it’s fun, do it, (Chap. 6)" highlights Jack's desire to instill fear in the 'littluns' and assert authority over them. Ralph, however, appears to be torn between the two sides. Although he appears to align with Piggy, in reality Ralph's stance remains unchanged. It is Jack and the other boys who become increasingly extreme in their actions such as hunting humans and forming their own tribe. In this manner, Ralph embodies the role of government in a contemporary society.

The text emphasizes the tensions between satisfying

public wishes and following rules of behavior to prevent anarchy. Additionally, Golding deliberately chose an isolated island as the setting for the crashed plane incident, as it represents complete separation from society. The boys find themselves alone and must rely on themselves to solve the issues of their own society. This setting serves as a perfect environment for human nature to manifest itself. The conch shell symbolizes the law and order of the adult world, which Piggy passionately defends. Piggy suggests using the shell to gather everyone for a meeting.

The boys will arrive upon hearing. " The conch symbolizes the authority they are accustomed to obeying. When Jack destroys the conch, anarchy quickly emerges as there is no longer any strong, centralized leadership. The island society descends into chaos due to the aggressive nature of human beings. Unfortunately, anarchy overpowers order.

Ralph contemplates, asking himself: "What is the sensible course of action? Without Piggy, there is no one to offer rational thoughts. There are no formal meetings for discussion or the symbolism of the conch shell to maintain order." This outcome is depicted by Golding to illustrate the inefficiency of government in uniting people. Regardless of its logic or reason, government will eventually yield to the chaotic demands of the public.

Get an explanation on any task
Get unstuck with the help of our AI assistant in seconds
New