Beecher Lord Of The Flies Quote Analysis

Annika Czizik
Critical Lens von Schiller 4B
9/14/14

Henry Ward Beecher was quite wise in saying that, “Greatness lies, not in being strong, but in the right using of strength; and strength is not used rightly when it serves only to carry a man above his fellows for his own solitary glory. He is the greatest whose strength carries up the most hearts by the attraction of his own”. In other words, in order to be great, you do not need to be powerful; you just need to know how to use your power appropriately. This quote is valid since strength accomplishes greatness when everyone benefits, rather than just an individual. This phenomenon is illustrated in the novel Lord of the Flies, by William Golding where the characters, in their own ways,
seek to maintain order in the absence of adults as well as in the novel The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne where individuality allows certain characters to break away from the rigid puritan society.
In The Scarlet Letter, the author uses irony in order to demonstrate the problems in the puritan society as well as in Dimmesdale’s lecturing. In chapter 3, “She will not speak!” murmured Mr. Dimmesdale, who, leaning over the balcony, with his hand upon his heart, had awaited the result of his appeal,” this quote reveals how Dimmesdale’s words are used to fit in with the Puritan society since he too is telling Hester to give up the father’s name (Hawthorne 63). This scene is ironic since Arthur Dimmesdale is indeed the father, who does not want to endure the public humiliation, although he instructs Hester to do exactly the opposite of what he wants. Dimmesdale attempts to improve his social standing in the Puritan society through getting their attention and praise even though its a defective way to increase his greatness. On the other hand, Hester is respected in the society later on since she uses her innate strength to transform the meaning of her punishment and embrace her scarlet letter, therefore gaining strength as an individual. Irony is prominent when she decides she rather stay in the town she was chastised in instead of move and have the freedom to not be known as the woman who committed adultery. Nathaniel Hawthorne uses irony as a way to show the strengths and weaknesses characters have when it comes to greatness.
Characterization plays a major role in the development of Dimmesdale and Hester as influential characters that have the ability to portray greatness through their words and actions.
Dimmesdale can be classified as a tragic hero, but also has qualities that do not fit. His tragic flaw is actually an action that occurred in the past, and resulted in Hester Prynne's pregnancy, rather than something he was born with or into. Arthur Dimmesdale accepts death, even though with honor since he was able to concede to his relationship with Hester and Pearl. His greatness and legend left with the Puritan society is proven with the quote, “After exhausting life in his efforts for mankind’s spiritual good, he had made the manner of his death a parable, in order to impress on his admirers the mighty and mournful lesson, that, in the view of Infinite Purity, we are sinners all alike” (Hawthorne 243). Hester manages to support herself and Pearl, through sewing and still manages to give to and tend to the poor, becoming a "self-ordained a Sister of Mercy" (Hawthorne 150). She even manages to win the grudging respect of the townspeople, because she's full of "helpfulness," and so much "power to do, and power to sympathize" (Hawthorne 150). Hester’s character traits sufficiently describe one that accurately fits Henry Ward Beecher’s quote since she truly does improve the lives of others around her by correctly using her strengths for
good.
In the novel, Lord of the Flies, theme exemplifies greatness, which is achieved by Ralph, but Jack plays an important role in demonstrating the opposite characteristics that are essential in becoming successful. The two main characters have competing conflicts of civilization vs. savagery and good vs. evil. Ralph’s ideology to create an efficient society demonstrated greatness since he wanted to make the island a more suitable place to reside by building huts and maintaining a signal fire. While Ralph used his power for good, Jack only used it to benefit himself, “Jack spoke. "Give me a drink." Henry brought him a shell and he drank, watching Piggy and Ralph over the jagged rim. Power lay in the brown swell of his forearms: authority sat on his shoulder and chattered in his ear like an ape (9.52-54)”. Ralph and Jack demonstrate the qualities of what to do and what not to do with power in order to achieve greatness.
Setting is the key aspect for why the boys in Lord of the Flies are put to the test with their abilities to use their strengths to their greatest extent. The boys have no contact with the outside world and must come up with a way to solve their own problems of their society. A significant place on the island is the mountaintop, where Ralph suggests to build a signal fire so they can be seen and rescued. This witty idea exemplifies Ralph’s leadership skills to take initiative to improve the islands residents standard of living. The Castle Rock on the opposite end of the island, where Jack and his tribe create their fortress at the end of the novel, represents chaos and savagery under Jack’s dictatorship. The separation of the large rock formation from the rest of the island is evidence of the separation of Jack and his followers from the main island and from civilization. Jack seeing the Castle Rock as a fortress with available weapons is more proof of that progression toward savagery. The contrast between Ralph and Jack as leaders and interpretation of power to become great is clearly demonstrated through the use of setting in Lord of the Flies.
The quote, “Greatness lies, not in being strong, but in the right using of strength; and strength is not used rightly when it serves only to carry a man above his fellows for his own solitary glory. He is the greatest whose strength carries up the most hearts by the attraction of his own,” by Henry Ward Beecher is true in most works of literature, especially in the novels The Scarlet Letter and Lord of the Flies. In these texts, the main characters struggle with conflicts and must use their strengths in order to make the best out of a situation. As a result, Ralph and Hester improved the lives around them, while Jack and Arthur Dimmesdale focused on benefiting themselves, making them strong at points but not excellent. These famous works of literature use literary elements to illustrate variations of greatness.