Works: Lord of the Flies and The Inheritors
Thesis: Through Lord of the Flies and The Inheritors, William Golding examines the conflict and the need for balance between the civilized and savage instincts in all humans. William Golding highlights the struggle between the ordered characteristics of society and the chaotic characteristics of humanity’s barbaric inclination. Ultimately, William Golding amplifies the innate savage instinct in humans.
I. Savage Characters- Lord of the Flies
A. Jack
a. Character Description- antagonist, the leader of the choir that becomes the leader of the hunters, longs for power, aggressive
b. Character Quality- a desire for power
c. Support- initially elects himself as chief because …show more content…
Character Quality- sadistic
c. Support- throws stones at Henry; shows his power over Henry, and he enjoys hurting Henry.
d. Support- “a darker shadow crept beneath the swarthiness of his skin” (62)
e. Character Quality- impulsively evil
f. Support- spears the pig
II. Civilized Characters (innately good) – Lord of the Flies
A. Ralph
a. Character Description- protagonist, the first boy on the island, gets elected as the leader, attempts to coordinate civilization
b. Character Quality- attempts to recreate an organized society on the deserted island
c. Support: begins by building shelters to domesticate the wild island
d. Character Quality- hopeful (believes in a rational world that is not entirely innately evil)
e. Support- weeps at the end when he realizes the loss of innocence and the darkness of people’s hearts
B. Piggy
a. Character Description- an overweight and whiny boy, very intellectual and innovative, rational, the voice of reason for the group of boys
b. Character Quality- intellect, ability to think
c. Support- his glasses provide the means by which they are able to light the fire
d. Support- dismisses Simon’s death as an accident because he doesn’t have the evidence to explain it
e. Character Quality- rational,