The novel Lord of the Flies, written by William Golding, presents a striking perspective on the dystopia facing humanity. Through Golding’s extensive use of characterization and symbolism, he reveals the effect that human instinct and society has on an individual’s actions. This concept exists beyond fictive works and is present in the real world as well, in the past but more so within the present. Being a member of the navy during the World War II period, Golding was able to witness many of the true horrors created by humanity and reflect upon them within his novel, Lord of the Flies. Though the novel ultimately depicts the endeavors of young, naive British school boys, Golding develops a rather troubling yet accurate view of human nature
…show more content…
Currently it is a rather rare occasion that one doesn’t hear of a recent shooting and statistics show that, “on average, thirty one Americans are murdered with guns every day.” Such statistics provide for many to believe in the concept that guns don’t kill people it is people that kill people, which is highly supported by aspects of Golding’s Lord of the Flies. Within the instance of the infamous boulder, Golding reveals how a seemingly innocent object can produce disastrous consequences similar to the situation with guns. In the first chapter, when Ralph, Jack and Simon go to explore the island they find the large boulder to which they decide to push down the mountain in a playful manner, yelling phrases such as “Wacco,” “Like a bomb,” and “Whee-aa-oo!” Later in the novel, this same rock is used to kill Piggy when, “Roger, with a sense of delirious abandonment, leaned all of his weight on the lever,” (Golding 180) and, “The rock struck Piggy a glancing blow from chin to knee… (and) Piggy fell forty feet and landed on his back across the square red rock in the sea,” (Golding 181). Nevertheless, guns can be used to produce positive benefits in matters of self defense or even in gaining meat for survival, but they can also be used with the hefty intention of murder. A majority of instances involving gun …show more content…
Though Golding presents this theme through the story of school boys who are forced to adapt to the foreign conditions of an uninhabited with no source of guidance, it can still apply to the world’s current dystopia. Provided, one may not be positive as to whether the problem with humanity is rooted solely from an innate mental aspect or as a combination of human nature and one’s environment, Golding was able to symbolically support both concepts. The said potential for evil within humanity that was experienced by Golding first hand during his exploits in World War II can still apply to perils modern society as it did decades ago. Within this concept of dystopia, Golding was able to develop a timeless theme that will unfortunately prevail over society for as long as the Earth remains locked in an everlasting affliction generated by the often devastating actions of
Currently it is a rather rare occasion that one doesn’t hear of a recent shooting and statistics show that, “on average, thirty one Americans are murdered with guns every day.” Such statistics provide for many to believe in the concept that guns don’t kill people it is people that kill people, which is highly supported by aspects of Golding’s Lord of the Flies. Within the instance of the infamous boulder, Golding reveals how a seemingly innocent object can produce disastrous consequences similar to the situation with guns. In the first chapter, when Ralph, Jack and Simon go to explore the island they find the large boulder to which they decide to push down the mountain in a playful manner, yelling phrases such as “Wacco,” “Like a bomb,” and “Whee-aa-oo!” Later in the novel, this same rock is used to kill Piggy when, “Roger, with a sense of delirious abandonment, leaned all of his weight on the lever,” (Golding 180) and, “The rock struck Piggy a glancing blow from chin to knee… (and) Piggy fell forty feet and landed on his back across the square red rock in the sea,” (Golding 181). Nevertheless, guns can be used to produce positive benefits in matters of self defense or even in gaining meat for survival, but they can also be used with the hefty intention of murder. A majority of instances involving gun …show more content…
Though Golding presents this theme through the story of school boys who are forced to adapt to the foreign conditions of an uninhabited with no source of guidance, it can still apply to the world’s current dystopia. Provided, one may not be positive as to whether the problem with humanity is rooted solely from an innate mental aspect or as a combination of human nature and one’s environment, Golding was able to symbolically support both concepts. The said potential for evil within humanity that was experienced by Golding first hand during his exploits in World War II can still apply to perils modern society as it did decades ago. Within this concept of dystopia, Golding was able to develop a timeless theme that will unfortunately prevail over society for as long as the Earth remains locked in an everlasting affliction generated by the often devastating actions of