Lord Of The Flies Heroism
The society of years past has demonstrated the characteristics which each man embodies. In the novel Lord of the Flies by William Golding, as well as in the article “The Banality of Heroism” by Zeno Franco and Philip Zimbardo, it is shown how, in a world where man can demonstrate cruel behavior, an underlying trait of good rests in each person. Although it can be argued that the natural behavior of man is generally evil, the good in man will always prevail. When the boys are stranded on an island in Lord of the Flies, both behaviors are evoked from all of the boys. However, evil recedes. Good is a trait that consists of morality and civilization. Leadership and heroism are associated with good. On the other hand, evil is a trait that consists
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of malice and savagery. Both qualities are present in everyone, however, in the end only good will triumph. The idea of what it means to be "good" has been lost as generations pass it down to further generations. Consequently, society has suffered from it. This is proven true when Jack believes that he is fit to be leader, when first stranded on the island. "'I ought to be chief,'" said Jack with simple arrogance, "'because I'm chapter chorister and head boy. I can sing C sharp'" (Golding 21). When Jack makes this claim to be chief, his idea of what characterizes a leader is shown. Since he leads a small group of boys and can sing C sharp, he believes that he is fit to be chief. This can be paralleled to today's society, where the quality of heroism is not what it once was. Franco and Zimbardo state, “We hold up inventors, athletes, actors, politicians, and scientists as examples of ‘heros.’ These individuals are clearly role models, embodying important qualities we would all like to see in our children--curiosity, persistence, physical strength, being a Good Samaritan--but they do not demonstrate courage or fortitude.” Jack can be considered a role model, for the reason that he can sing C sharp, and can also be looked up to. However, as Franco and Zimbardo state, he cannot be viewed as a leader because he lacks courage and fortitude. Ralph on the other hand, does display these two traits, and therefore can be viewed as a leader. “The officer leaned down and looked closely at Ralph. ‘Two? Killed?’ Ralph nodded again. Behind him, the whole island was shuddering with flame. The officer knew, as a rule, when people were telling the truth… ‘Who’s boss here?’ ‘I am,’ said Ralph loudly” (Golding 201). Here, Ralph is demonstrating his qualities of courage and fortitude. By taking responsibility for what took place on the island, Ralph shows that he is brave and fit to be a leader. He embodies all of the traits which define a man as “good,” and revives this meaning to his generation. While at times it may not seem true, the capacity to be good is in each person.
According to Franco and Zimbardo, “The banality of heroism concept suggests that we are all potential heroes waiting for a moment in life to perform a heroic deed. The decision to act heroically is a choice that many of us will be called upon to make at some point in time.” This idea that all people have good inside of them and has the potential to be released can be paralleled to when the boys are stranded on the island. As they initially all behave good, the savagery within them is eventually revealed. Jack, who leads the group of savages, shows no signs of ever returning to a civilized behavior. However, in the end, when questioned by a naval officer, “A little boy [Jack] wore the remains of an extraordinary black cap on his red hair and who carried the remains of a pair of spectacles at his waist, started forward, then changed his mind and stood still” (Golding 201). The naval officer asked Ralph, Jack’s competition for authority, who the leader of the group is. At that moment, the good in Jack prevails, and he finally shows morality when he allows Ralph to claim himself leader. This morality is the natural behavior of man, and it will always triumph over
savagery. Society of recent years has evoked the underlying characteristics of man. While the evil in all people is often shown, the good in these same people has the potential to prevail. What defines a human as “good” has changed from generation to generation. However, some still demonstrate the courage and fortitude which a good person, or hero, embodies. While all people possess a quality of evil, the good within them will always prevail.
of malice and savagery. Both qualities are present in everyone, however, in the end only good will triumph. The idea of what it means to be "good" has been lost as generations pass it down to further generations. Consequently, society has suffered from it. This is proven true when Jack believes that he is fit to be leader, when first stranded on the island. "'I ought to be chief,'" said Jack with simple arrogance, "'because I'm chapter chorister and head boy. I can sing C sharp'" (Golding 21). When Jack makes this claim to be chief, his idea of what characterizes a leader is shown. Since he leads a small group of boys and can sing C sharp, he believes that he is fit to be chief. This can be paralleled to today's society, where the quality of heroism is not what it once was. Franco and Zimbardo state, “We hold up inventors, athletes, actors, politicians, and scientists as examples of ‘heros.’ These individuals are clearly role models, embodying important qualities we would all like to see in our children--curiosity, persistence, physical strength, being a Good Samaritan--but they do not demonstrate courage or fortitude.” Jack can be considered a role model, for the reason that he can sing C sharp, and can also be looked up to. However, as Franco and Zimbardo state, he cannot be viewed as a leader because he lacks courage and fortitude. Ralph on the other hand, does display these two traits, and therefore can be viewed as a leader. “The officer leaned down and looked closely at Ralph. ‘Two? Killed?’ Ralph nodded again. Behind him, the whole island was shuddering with flame. The officer knew, as a rule, when people were telling the truth… ‘Who’s boss here?’ ‘I am,’ said Ralph loudly” (Golding 201). Here, Ralph is demonstrating his qualities of courage and fortitude. By taking responsibility for what took place on the island, Ralph shows that he is brave and fit to be a leader. He embodies all of the traits which define a man as “good,” and revives this meaning to his generation. While at times it may not seem true, the capacity to be good is in each person.
According to Franco and Zimbardo, “The banality of heroism concept suggests that we are all potential heroes waiting for a moment in life to perform a heroic deed. The decision to act heroically is a choice that many of us will be called upon to make at some point in time.” This idea that all people have good inside of them and has the potential to be released can be paralleled to when the boys are stranded on the island. As they initially all behave good, the savagery within them is eventually revealed. Jack, who leads the group of savages, shows no signs of ever returning to a civilized behavior. However, in the end, when questioned by a naval officer, “A little boy [Jack] wore the remains of an extraordinary black cap on his red hair and who carried the remains of a pair of spectacles at his waist, started forward, then changed his mind and stood still” (Golding 201). The naval officer asked Ralph, Jack’s competition for authority, who the leader of the group is. At that moment, the good in Jack prevails, and he finally shows morality when he allows Ralph to claim himself leader. This morality is the natural behavior of man, and it will always triumph over
savagery. Society of recent years has evoked the underlying characteristics of man. While the evil in all people is often shown, the good in these same people has the potential to prevail. What defines a human as “good” has changed from generation to generation. However, some still demonstrate the courage and fortitude which a good person, or hero, embodies. While all people possess a quality of evil, the good within them will always prevail.