Totalitarianism Vs. Democracy In Lord Of The Flies
Lord of the Flies-Essay
The novel Lord of the Flies, by William Golding, is an allegory looking at totalitarianism vs. democracy governing within humans. William Golding has two characters (Jack and Ralph) that he uses to exemplify totalitarianism vs. democracy. The two main characters represent the two different governments which lead to many arguments and other more severe conflicts between the two. The battle of the two governments on this deserted island is a small representation of what’s happening in Europe at this time. Golding makes an obvious reference to totalitarianism with the character of Jack throughout the novel Lord of the Flies. Totalitarianism is a centralized government that does not tolerate parties of differing opinion,
and exercises dictatorial control. In this novel, Jack begins is one of the oldest kids but is not the leader (this is when they have a democracy and Ralph is leader). In the first week or two Jack is going along with Ralph and all the other kid’s government [democracy]. As time goes on, Jack begins to show signs of being savage and his temper. Piggy tells jack that he shouldn’t have let the fire out and Jack gets very angry. Golding writes “The bolting look came into his blue eyes. He took a step, and able at last to hit someone, stuck his fist into Piggy’s Stomach.”(71) After this happens, Jack wants to be a leader more and more. Finally Jack sees his chance to become a leader over the other boys, and acts on it as quick as possible. When he sets up his tribe, Jack becomes a dictator to his tribe with complete control over the children and the fear they have of him. “‘Has everybody eaten as much as they want?’ His tone conveyed a warning, given out of the pride of ownership, and the boys ate faster…”(149) Golding shows how Jack has put fear into all members of his tribe,. This is how he has become a leader, and created a totalitarian government. Ralph is a character in Lord of the Flies that William Golding uses to represent a democracy. A democracy is a form of government where all people are heard equally. In the very beginning of the book Ralph is chosen as chief, “Every hand outside the choir except Piggy’s was raised immediately…Ralph counted. ‘I’m chief then'”(23) After this happens Ralph tries to keep order and actually does very well at the beginning. He called meetings often and this helped keep control among everyone. “By the time Ralph finished blowing the conch the platform was crowded. There were differences between this meeting and the one held in the morning”(32) Ralph is the only hope that the island has of staying civil and not turning into chaos. Once Ralph starts losing kids in his tribe so they can join Jack’s tribe, the island turns into chaos. It doesn’t matter if its kids on a island, or a country’s government, without a democracy it’s hard to keep peace. The Novel Lord of the Flies by William Golding is an allegory to totalitarianism vs. democracy in governing within humans. It shows how different the rule of two different governments is.
The novel Lord of the Flies, by William Golding, is an allegory looking at totalitarianism vs. democracy governing within humans. William Golding has two characters (Jack and Ralph) that he uses to exemplify totalitarianism vs. democracy. The two main characters represent the two different governments which lead to many arguments and other more severe conflicts between the two. The battle of the two governments on this deserted island is a small representation of what’s happening in Europe at this time. Golding makes an obvious reference to totalitarianism with the character of Jack throughout the novel Lord of the Flies. Totalitarianism is a centralized government that does not tolerate parties of differing opinion,
and exercises dictatorial control. In this novel, Jack begins is one of the oldest kids but is not the leader (this is when they have a democracy and Ralph is leader). In the first week or two Jack is going along with Ralph and all the other kid’s government [democracy]. As time goes on, Jack begins to show signs of being savage and his temper. Piggy tells jack that he shouldn’t have let the fire out and Jack gets very angry. Golding writes “The bolting look came into his blue eyes. He took a step, and able at last to hit someone, stuck his fist into Piggy’s Stomach.”(71) After this happens, Jack wants to be a leader more and more. Finally Jack sees his chance to become a leader over the other boys, and acts on it as quick as possible. When he sets up his tribe, Jack becomes a dictator to his tribe with complete control over the children and the fear they have of him. “‘Has everybody eaten as much as they want?’ His tone conveyed a warning, given out of the pride of ownership, and the boys ate faster…”(149) Golding shows how Jack has put fear into all members of his tribe,. This is how he has become a leader, and created a totalitarian government. Ralph is a character in Lord of the Flies that William Golding uses to represent a democracy. A democracy is a form of government where all people are heard equally. In the very beginning of the book Ralph is chosen as chief, “Every hand outside the choir except Piggy’s was raised immediately…Ralph counted. ‘I’m chief then'”(23) After this happens Ralph tries to keep order and actually does very well at the beginning. He called meetings often and this helped keep control among everyone. “By the time Ralph finished blowing the conch the platform was crowded. There were differences between this meeting and the one held in the morning”(32) Ralph is the only hope that the island has of staying civil and not turning into chaos. Once Ralph starts losing kids in his tribe so they can join Jack’s tribe, the island turns into chaos. It doesn’t matter if its kids on a island, or a country’s government, without a democracy it’s hard to keep peace. The Novel Lord of the Flies by William Golding is an allegory to totalitarianism vs. democracy in governing within humans. It shows how different the rule of two different governments is.