Throughout William Goldings’ novel, Lord of the Flies, the ideas of Friedrich Nietzsche are subtly presented within each character’s distinct qualities. Although Golding had never read Nietzsche’s ideas before, Lord of the Flies exhibited the same concepts as Nietzsche’s work. Even though they came from completely different worlds, Golding and Nietzsche had similar ideas on controversial ideas. While both Golding and Nietzsche had opinions on the same subject, they did not always have the same point of view. While Golding had the view of typical Judeo-Christianity, where evil is bad, Nietzsche embraced the natural savage impulses in everyone. Throughout The Lord of the Flies and Nietzsche’s many philosophies, William Golding and Friedrich Nietzsche
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When all the boys on the island gathered, Roger suggested that they vote for a leader. While everyone raised their hands to vote for Ralph, Piggy left his hand down. However, after watching everyone vote for Ralph, “Piggy, too, raised his hand grudgingly,” (Golding 23). Piggy’s hesitation is caused due to the fact that he believes he could lead the group the best, as a result of his intelligence. Nevertheless, Piggy did not fight for a position of power, demonstration how Piggy’s desire for power is not very strong. Piggy was not too angry when he was not elected as leader. Nietzsche explains his belief that “…perhaps nobody is more consistently selfish than those who are noble,” (Nietzsche GS55). Throughout the novel, Piggy is one of the few who does not lose his innocence, while everyone, who is greedy for power becomes evil. Through the use of Piggy’s characteristics, Golding exemplifies his belief that having a very strong will to power is not always good, whereas Nietzsche believes that people who do not feel the need for power are selfish because they are not trying their hardest to do what they think is best. Nietzsche’s opinion is that everyone should be greedy with power so they can do what they think is best. Once Ralph was elected as leader, “…the freckles on Jack’s face disappeared under a blush of mortification,” (Golding 23). Jack was embarrassed …show more content…
Piggy was constantly judged and made fun of due to his physical appearance. Golding explains how, “Piggy was an outsider, not only by accent…but by fat, and ass-mar, and specs…” (Golding 65). Nietzsche explains that “There is a solitude within him that is inaccessible to praise or blame, his own justice that is beyond appeal,” (WP962). Both Golding and Nietzsche agree that although Piggy could not help being different from everyone else, everyone still looked down upon him. They both believe that Piggy should not have been treated differently because he could not change his physical appearance. The idea that people are treated differently because their characteristics are not identical to those of the common person is presented through the concept of solitude. When a meeting is called and Jack and Ralph have a disagreement, Jack asks, “Hands up…whoever wants Ralph not to be chief?” There was a moment of silence and Jack left the meeting furiously. (Golding 127). In order to explain his beliefs, Nietzsche wrote, “If he cannot lead, he goes alone…” (WP692). Nietzsche explains how if someone cannot receive the power to lead a large group, he will leave and be alone. This quote explains the importance of the will to power because Nietzsche believes that if someone cannot lead they must leave in order to gain more power
When all the boys on the island gathered, Roger suggested that they vote for a leader. While everyone raised their hands to vote for Ralph, Piggy left his hand down. However, after watching everyone vote for Ralph, “Piggy, too, raised his hand grudgingly,” (Golding 23). Piggy’s hesitation is caused due to the fact that he believes he could lead the group the best, as a result of his intelligence. Nevertheless, Piggy did not fight for a position of power, demonstration how Piggy’s desire for power is not very strong. Piggy was not too angry when he was not elected as leader. Nietzsche explains his belief that “…perhaps nobody is more consistently selfish than those who are noble,” (Nietzsche GS55). Throughout the novel, Piggy is one of the few who does not lose his innocence, while everyone, who is greedy for power becomes evil. Through the use of Piggy’s characteristics, Golding exemplifies his belief that having a very strong will to power is not always good, whereas Nietzsche believes that people who do not feel the need for power are selfish because they are not trying their hardest to do what they think is best. Nietzsche’s opinion is that everyone should be greedy with power so they can do what they think is best. Once Ralph was elected as leader, “…the freckles on Jack’s face disappeared under a blush of mortification,” (Golding 23). Jack was embarrassed …show more content…
Piggy was constantly judged and made fun of due to his physical appearance. Golding explains how, “Piggy was an outsider, not only by accent…but by fat, and ass-mar, and specs…” (Golding 65). Nietzsche explains that “There is a solitude within him that is inaccessible to praise or blame, his own justice that is beyond appeal,” (WP962). Both Golding and Nietzsche agree that although Piggy could not help being different from everyone else, everyone still looked down upon him. They both believe that Piggy should not have been treated differently because he could not change his physical appearance. The idea that people are treated differently because their characteristics are not identical to those of the common person is presented through the concept of solitude. When a meeting is called and Jack and Ralph have a disagreement, Jack asks, “Hands up…whoever wants Ralph not to be chief?” There was a moment of silence and Jack left the meeting furiously. (Golding 127). In order to explain his beliefs, Nietzsche wrote, “If he cannot lead, he goes alone…” (WP692). Nietzsche explains how if someone cannot receive the power to lead a large group, he will leave and be alone. This quote explains the importance of the will to power because Nietzsche believes that if someone cannot lead they must leave in order to gain more power