Lord of the Flies; an Attempt to Trace the Defects of Human Nature

Lord of the Flies

"An attempt to trace the defects of human society back to the defects of human nature. The moral is that the shape of a society must depend on the ethical nature of the individual and not on any political system however apparently logical or respectable.”

Lord of the Flies by William Golding is about a group of British boys who get plane-wrecked on a deserted island. The boys cooperate, gather fruit, make shelters, and maintain a signal fire. When they get there they are civil schoolboys but soon show that being away from society and the real world it brings out their true nature and they break apart and turn into savages.

The political system that they had on the island was corrupt. It wasn’t the system but the individuals who were responsible for corruption in society. At first they had a leader, Ralph. He made rules, held meetings and tried to keep things in order. Soon Ralph's rules are being ignored and questioned. Jack was too concerned with hunting, to worry about the other things that can keep them alive, like the signal fire that would get them rescued, Madness came into his eyes. “I thought I might kill.” “But you haven’t yet (51).” Soon, Jack decides he’s had enough of Ralph, “I’m not going to be part of Ralph’s lot. I’m going by myself. Anyone who wants to hunt when I do can come (127).” He lures the other boys away and makes a tribe. Ralph’s community deteriorates. Jack is responsible for the corruption of their society.

As the story progresses it shows how the boys change from disciplined school boys to savages. Jack is the first to show the transition. When Jack, Simon and Ralph go exploring for the first time, they come across a piglet caught in a curtain of creepers. Jack couldn’t kill it “because of the enormity of the knife descending and cutting into living flesh; because of the unbearable blood (31).” From that moment on, Jack felt he needed to prove to himself to the others that he’s strong, brave and isn’t afraid to kill. When Jack says, “Next Time…(31)” it’s foreshadowing his future of savage hunting.

Piggy represents democracy and Jack represents anarchy. Piggy is cautious and responsible. He believes having a leader and some sort of government is necessary to have a society run smoothly. Jack is more arrogant. He doesn’t think that one person should have the power to make all the decisions and he is respected only through fear. “Who wants Jack for chief?” With dreary obedience the choir raised their hands. “I’m chief then.” The circle of boys broke into applause. Even the choir applauded (21).” The tribe lacks direction and is disorderly and chaotic.

When they first arrive, they see the island as an adventure. “This is our island. It’s a good island. Until the grownups come to fetch us we’ll have fun (34). We want to be rescued; and of course we will (37). It’s like a book (34).” Piggy is the only one who understands the seriousness of the situation. “Nobody knows where we are. We may be here a long time. (34)” Soon enough they begin to realize that it’s not Treasure Island, its real and they’re frightened. Simon, Jack and Ralph talk about the littluns; “They talk and scream. As if…” “As if it wasn’t a good island (52).” Then Jack says, “If you’re hunting you catch yourself feeling as if you’re not hunting…but being hunted (53)” Talking about this aloud shows they’re admitting that they aren’t as strong as they