Exploring the Theme of Human Nature in Lord of the Flies

Warning: This blog post contains spoilers.

Lord of the Flies, a novel by Nobel Prize-winning author William Golding, is often studied in secondary school English classes due to its allegorical portrayal of the darker aspects of human nature. With its powerful themes and gripping narrative, the novel has long been considered a classic, and it continues to provoke discussion and debate on questions of morality, social conditioning, and human nature.

In this blog post, we will delve deep into the theme of human nature in Lord of the Flies, examining how the different characters and their actions contribute to our understanding of what it means to be human.

The Struggle for Power

At the heart of Lord of the Flies is a struggle for power and control that mirrors the hierarchical structures of civilization. The novel begins with a group of young boys, stranded on a deserted island, attempting to create a society that which they can govern and maintain order. The boys immediately elect a leader, Ralph, and establish rules and rationales to help them survive.

However, it quickly becomes apparent that their desire for order and civilization is undermined by their inherent instincts for survival, competition, and self-preservation. This struggle for power is exemplified in the rivalry between Ralph and Jack, two of the novel’s main characters. Jack, the leader of the hunters, quickly becomes obsessed with asserting his dominance over the other boys, and his insatiable hunger for power ultimately leads to violence, savagery, and the literal manifestation of the “beast” the boys believe to be stalking the island.

Civilization vs. Savagery

This struggle between the desire for a civilized society and the inherent savagery of human nature is also evident in the characters of Piggy and Roger. Piggy, who is physically weak and ridiculed by the other boys due to his weight and asthma, is perhaps the most intelligent and rational character in the novel. His glasses, a symbol of insight and intellect, are utilized for starting fires, an essential tool for maintaining the veneer of civilization on the island.

In contrast, Roger, a malevolent and cruel boy from the start, fully embraces the savagery that the island enables. His actions become increasingly violent and homicidal throughout the story, culminating in the brutal murder of Piggy with a boulder.

The Beast Within

The most horrifying realization the boys face is the fact that the perceived beast is not an external entity, but rather the darkness within themselves. The novel illustrates that human nature is not wholly virtuous, and that beneath the veneer of civilization and morality, there lies a latent capacity for evil and savagery. This is demonstrated when Simon, a character often seen as a Christ-like figure, stumbles upon the disembodied head of a pig impaled on a stake. This grisly sight, dubbed the “The Lord of the Flies,” speaks to him, giving voice to the horrifying truth: “I am the beast… I’m part of you? Close, close, close! I’m the reason why it’s no go? Why things are what they are?“.

Final Thoughts

Lord of the Flies is a powerful, thought-provoking, and often disturbing exploration of human nature. By presenting a situation where societal norms and constraints are stripped away, Golding forces us to confront the potential darkness that lies within each of us. Through the narrative and the vivid characters, we are left to ponder whether our instinct for savagery can ultimately be overcome, or whether it is an inherent part of the human condition.

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