LOTF

Belen Zamorano
Mrs. Eckenroth
Adv. English II/6
4 May 2013
Good vs. Evil in Human Nature
Human nature: a concept so intricate and esoteric that it has caused bewilderment in the minds of the most intelligent men to have walked on earth. Morality- an important component of human nature- is the ability to choose between right or wrong. Tracing back to our roots, Adam and Eve`s act of disobedience, it is evident that since the beginning of times man has chosen to do wrong, showing that human nature is bad. Still, some insist of its being good, like Socrates, a Greek philosopher, who argued that ``it is impossible for a human being to willingly do wrong because their instinct for self interest prevents them from doing so``. Nevertheless, looking at tragedies like the Holocaust or World War II, one has reasons to believe that man is definitely wicked and evil. William Golding begs to differ and believes that although man is indeed bad, he is also capable of good. His allegorical novel, Lord of the Flies, scrutinizes our iniquitous human nature and reveals mankind`s true potential for evil, acknowledging, however, that good could be found in the most remote areas of man.
One indication of the evil in human nature is the hunger for power. The first act of power in this novel was the blowing of the conch. This white conch shell, found by Ralph and Piggy, becomes symbolic of authority and the beginning of civilization on the island. The children try to imitate civilization and impose democracy as they ``vote for chief`` (22). The need for the life that they were accustomed to drives the characters (all boys) to create a type of society in which rules are made and a leader is chosen- Ralph- primarily because he blew the conch. Ralph then decides that he will ``give the conch to the next person to speak… and he won`t be interrupted``, showing his willingness to allow the boys to participate with opinions but always under his control, like any democratic leader would (33). In contrast to Ralph is the hunger for absolute power present in Jack, the leader of the choirboys who also crashed on the island. This power-hungry attitude was amongst the main causes of World War 2 in figures such as Hitler, Stalin, and Mussolini who, like Jack, had an imperialistic mindset and established a totalitarian dictatorship under their control. Jack’s desire for overall control of the group develops a type of enmity against Ralph, whom everybody wants as chief. In fact, the first time Jack hunts and kills a pig, he is overwhelmed by the feeling of dominion over another living creature and longs for more. The power goes to his head and when ``the conch exploded into a thousand white fragments and ceased to exist, `` Jack wildly declares ``I'm chief`` (181). His reign over the children, however, could only but affect their nature and bring forth their savagery. Two tribes form (the Allies under Ralph against Jack’s Axis powers); thus, a conflict emerges over the want of power. But, like WWII, this conflict ends only in the loss of lives and morality with no real winner. And so, the hunger for power that exists in mankind both ameliorates and corrupts humanity even further in the impulse of obtaining it, resulting only in destruction and violence.
Violence makes its mark on the island and grows within the children, unfolding yet another aspect of the evil in man. When the children crashed, the plane made a ‘’scar’’ on the island, representing mankind`s evil and destructive nature (7). Now alone in a place where ‘’there aren`t any grownups anywhere,’’ adults being symbolic of rules and society, tension starts to build as the children try to restore order (8). The boys’ attempt at making a fire to ‘’help the [adults] find [them]’’ resulted in chaos and a fire that burned one side of the island (38). The scar and the ‘’unfriendly side of the mountain’’ are constant reminders of the evil in human nature throughout the novel (47). Jack, the hunter of the group, initially could not hunt a pig claiming that he ‘’was choosing a place… waiting for a moment to decide where to stab him’’ (31). In reality, Jack wasn’t able to kill the pig ‘’because of the unbearable blood,’’ since he was still driven by that force of morality and humanity (31). As time passes, however, the children lose that morality as they become more savage and the pig-hunts grow bloodier, showing the progressive violence in the children. Roger, who at first threw rocks at the littluns just to miss, is an example of that violent impulse in human beings to hurt. His connection to civilization initially prevented him from hurting anyone. But as time passes, violence manages to penetrate and Roger`s impulsive nature results in him ending Piggy’s life with a much bigger rock. Initially, the children were only trying to escape the violence of a more civilized world that was presently at war; they were trying to escape from ``the atom bomb`` (14). Their attempt at escaping violence only led them to realize that it could not be avoided because it is part of human nature and it is so great that it evoked fear in the hearts of the children.
Fear slowly gives way and becomes inevitable in the presence of such evil. The children`s fear of the unknown leads them to speculate ``that maybe there is a beast`` lurking in the forest of the island (89). On the other hand, Piggy, representing the voice of reason, suggests that ``there isn`t no beast …unless we get frightened of people, `` foreshadowing that the beast might be themselves (84). Actually, when Samneric are left to care for the fire, they see this beast and run to warn the others that ``there were eyes... and teeth `` (100). Certainly, human beings possess these traits. Piggy is afraid of Jack and when he ‘’stuck his fist into Piggy’s stomach… and smacked Piggy’s head’’ breaking his glasses, Ralph does nothing to intervene (71). He fears that Jack might turn his rage on him and does nothing to help, q phenomenon known in social psychology as the bystander effect, showing that people are afraid of people. This presage is confirmed in the ultimate scene of Simon`s encounter with the beast where he hallucinates of having a conversation with the ``lord of the flies`` who remarks that it was ``fancy thinking the Beast was something you could hunt and kill’’ because it’s innate of human nature, and therefore invincible (143). Simon, the calm and reverent and innocent, realizes the unbearable truth that evil is a part of human nature, ‘’the reason why it’s no go... why things are the way they are’’ (143). Since the beginning, the boys unconsciously knew it- knew that they were afraid of each other- afraid of their potential for evil- an evil that sprung when the boundaries of civilization ceased to exist- and this wicked nature was surely something to be feared. But as every action has a reaction, the evil in mankind is counteracted by good.
In contrast to all the evil is Golding’s belief that man isn’t wholly corrupted. This belief is embodied in characters like Ralph, Piggy and Simon who bring remedy to all the chaos of the children at the island. When they land on the island Ralph tries to establish order. The fire that he started ‘’to make smoke on top of the mountain’’ in the hope of attracting a ship and being rescued, is man’s hope of being rescued from the ruthlessness, violence, and fear of this world (38). Although the fire goes out, Ralph continues to have faith that the children will be rescued. In mutual accord with Ralph is Piggy, whose specs are symbolic progress and were used as ‘’burning glasses’’ to ‘’light the fire’’ (40). He constantly repines on Ralph about aspects that should be put straight, just like the many problems of our society in actuality. Simon represents innocence; he is peaceful and reverent and appreciates nature’s beauty. Together, these characters form a tribe in which Ralph is still the chief. This tribe is symbolic of the scarce individuals of this world who still appeal to good and morality. Little by little, however, this tribe is dissolved by Jack`s evil tribe manages to kill Simon and then Piggy and coerce Samneric to join their tribe. Ralph is left alone against all the forces of evil. In the end, a fire attracts a ship that acts as a dues ex machine and answers Ralph’s prayers. A fire that was intended to kill Ralph resulted in their salvation, showing that despite ‘’the darkness of man’s heart,’’ hope is still feasible (202). This concludes Golding’s belief that there is hope for humanity and good, although scant, could emanate in the midst of evil.

Ultimately, mankind’s actions are driven by a nature that only proves to be evil and malevolent in every way. Golding successfully demonstrates through his characters that a man’s heart is filled with avarice and malice and can only cause damage. The never-ending deterioration caused by man and its evilness is evident through history and is still evident today. But, when all is said and done, the good in human nature comes forth and saves humanity.