What is the evil in Lord of the Flies? Lord of the Flies is a classic novel by William Golding that tells the story of a group of young boys who are stranded on a deserted island and must survive on their own. The book explores themes of power, violence, and the innate evil that exists within human nature. But what exactly is the evil in Lord of the Flies?
What is the evil in Lord of the Flies? (Answered)
The characters in Lord of the Flies can be interpreted as prototypes of human behavior. Ralph represents civilization and leadership, while Jack represents the savagery within the human soul. In a broader sense, we may consider Ralph as representing “good” and Jack as representing “evil”.
At the beginning of the novel, Ralph is elected as the leader of the group and tries to establish a sense of order and civilization on the island. He sets up rules for the boys to follow and tries to maintain a signal fire so they can be rescued. However, as time goes on, the boys become increasingly savage and violent, and Ralph’s leadership is challenged by Jack.
Jack, on the other hand, represents the primal instincts and desires that exist within all human beings. He is obsessed with hunting and killing, and he uses fear and violence to control the other boys. Jack’s desire for power and dominance leads him to form his own tribe and turn against Ralph and his followers.
The evil in Lord of the Flies is the corruption and destruction that results from the unrestrained desires and instincts of human beings. Golding suggests that without the constraints of society and civilization, people are capable of terrible acts of violence and cruelty.
One of the key symbols in the novel is the “beast” that the boys believe inhabits the island. The beast represents the fear and darkness within each of the boys, and it becomes a source of terror and violence as they begin to turn on each other.
In the end, Ralph is rescued, and the boys are brought back to civilization, but the experience has changed them forever. They have witnessed the evil that exists within themselves and within others, and they can never go back to the innocence of their former lives.
Why is Lord of the Flies evil?
Lord of the Flies is considered evil because it portrays humans as inherently evil. The author argues that the fear of the unknown drives individuals to act foolishly and irrationally. The absence of civilization’s rules in the novel leads to chaos and disorder among the boys, highlighting mankind’s capacity for wickedness.
How does Lord of the Flies show that humans are evil?
Lord of the Flies portrays the inherent evil within humans through various characters and events. The boys’ descent into savagery on the deserted island demonstrates their natural inclination towards brutality and dominance. As they are freed from societal constraints, their primal urges take over, leading to acts of violence and cruelty. The power struggles, such as Jack’s thirst for control and the hunting rituals turning into a bloodthirsty frenzy, reveal how humans are inherently driven by their darker instincts when placed in a situation devoid of civilization.
Why is Jack evil in Lord of the Flies?
Jack is considered evil in Lord of the Flies because his personality is inherently driven by a desire to exert dominance and control over others. Throughout the novel, Jack’s actions and decisions consistently reflect his need for power, leading him to become increasingly manipulative, ruthless, and even violent. His obsession with hunting and his relentless pursuit of authority ultimately lead to the downfall of order and morality on the island.
Conclusion
Overall, the evil in Lord of the Flies is the savage and destructive nature of human beings when they are freed from the constraints of society and civilization. Golding’s novel serves as a warning about the dangers of giving in to our primal instincts and desires, and the importance of maintaining order and morality in our lives.