Lord of the Flies by Golding Essays -- Papers

Lord of the Flies by Golding In "Lord of the Flies", Golding suggests that once man is freed from social conditioning and obligation, the intrinsic sense of evil will be revealed in him. He destroys the optimistic view of human nature by showing how even the most innocent of all - children can deteriorate into primitive savages once freed from the trappings of society. This view, that man is capable of gross wickedness, is central to the whole novel. It is revealed through Simon's conversation with the imaginary Lord of the Flies when he realises that the real beast is one that exists in all the boys. However, Golding also shows that if man is willing to recognise the evil potential in his nature, he will able to curb his own evil instincts. It is important to note how much the boys manage to achieve before their inner fears destroy their sense of responsibility and reason, that is, before the boys finally succumb to savagery and violence. They discover fire, they build shelters (albeit prone to collapsing!), they explore the island, they go on hunting trips, and they delegate social responsibilities. Initially, one would be inclined to think that Jack's leadership is a poor one as he relies on brute strength. However, Jack is shrewd enough to know that the boys' survival is as important as rescue. Food has to be hunted; emotional needs (which Ralph tries to deny) have to be satisfied. Also, Piggy, Ralph and Simon serve as reminders in the novel that there remains much to be admired in mankind. Each of them displays positive qualities of wisdom and goodness in their own way. For all his physical weaknesses like asthma, my... ... and remain virtuous. In some cases, like Simon, he is able to be uphold his moral values even without any pressure from society. For some others like Ralph and Piggy who represent the naÃÆ'Â ¯ve, well-meaning, simple side of man, there is a tendency to slip into the region of 'badness' though most of the time they are able to be 'good'. Although Golding seems to present a bleak view of human nature, he does give the reader some hope for the future at the end of the book. This is shown in the new knowledge that Ralph has acquired. Unlike Simon and Piggy who have died, Ralph is given the chance to live on and to hopefully, use his new-found knowledge to influence the people around him. With his increased awareness of human nature and his experiences, Ralph will be able to live on the legacy of Simon and Piggy.