People wonder how ‘evil’ a certain person can be. Or how someone could have the sanity of acting hatred against another. When you get asked what you think the philosophy of ‘Lord of the Flies” is, do you believe that everybody has inner evil in them when they’re born or do they become evil as time goes on experiencing life. William Golding has a powerful view of people in society. His understanding shows that he thinks people are evil, born evil and learn from it. This can be explained through their personalities, actions and behaviours. Which in this case, was shown by ‘savagery’. Could you imagine every single person in the world having that ‘savagery’? Golding illustrated how the innocent, civilized boys became savage when they were put into an environment without laws, regulations and restrictions.
The boys personalities in this book illustrated how Golding’s perspective on human nature was that all people are evil. Jack’s personality is what caused civilization to crash. Jack was always the type of person to be in charge. He suffers from wanting the best. He has a great strive for power. He seems to be obsessed with it because he feels useless when he doesn’t have power. He wanted to have all the power and got jealous when he didn’t get that opportunity. Jack abused his power by manipulating the others into doing what he said. His manipulation respresnted the instinct of savagery within human beings. He would start to get frustrated when he couldn’t become leader. Jack called a meeting then had left it because he was hurt and angry that he didn’t get voted as chief. On the other hand, Ralph enjoyed challenging Jack which developed the boys into becoming more savage.
The boys actions in this book showed Golding’s perspective on how mankind is evil. The events that occurred caused by the boys were caused by the savagery. They also made horrific and savagery comments. “You want a real pig… because you’ve got to kill him” said by Robert. “Use a littlelun” said by Jack. This comment was so horrific because of the thought they made wanting to use human sacrifice. Ralph got caught up in the irrational lust to injure and kill. “Their desire to squeeze and hurt was over-mastering”. Ralph said hunting made him feel more like a man because of him killing. It made him feel good after he hit the pig with a spear. Because of the boys chanting “kill the pig” they had the desire to kill and hurt. They made several dangerous acts. For instance, they murdered Simon. “These pained savages would go further and further” pg. 204. Simon was murdered by the boys over fear that he was the beast.
The boys behaviours showed Golding’s perspective on how mankind is evil. Their irrational behaviours got to the point where they started to suspect some things and began to rethink. ‘Maybe the beast is us” pg.85. They also started to feel excited about killing. “Kill the pig! Cut his throat! Kill the pig! Bash him in!” The savagery got to them too much that they became afraid of themselves. “I’m frightened. Of us”. The behaviours that the boys developed while being on the could never be forgiven. The causing of they’re terrible behaviours could be because of the violent games the played, such as hunting. The behaviour that the boys had was a result of they’re fear and how they protected themselves. In Simon’s death, it was wrongfully occured because of the mistake that they thought he was the beast. It was they’re natural instinct to fight back since they were suspecting it to be the beast in th first place since they were searching for it.
Overall, it may be said that all human beings are evil, i believe that Golding’s view does not refer to everyone. I believe that people become ‘evil’ after past experiences that has happened in their life. I don’t agree with the statement that all people have inner evil in them. Even though the examples put that the boys personalities, actions and behaviours were displayed, when people act ‘evil’ it’s their choice to do so.
JESSICA AITCHISON 