“Atavism is the tendency to revert to ancestral type. In biology, an atavism is an evolutionary throwback, such as traits reappearing which had disappeared generations before.” In writing authors use symbolism, conflicts, and character to convey atavism in their works. In Golding’s lord of the flies, he uses characterization of jack and the hunters, conflicts between characters and symbolism to show atavism. He uses these things to show that when the rules of society are removed even the most innocent beings can turn back to their primal instincts.
symbolism is also used to show man kinds breakdown into evil tendencies. An obvious symbol in the novel that best represents evil is the beast but the beast is actually all of the boys …show more content…
In this fashion, he can test whether the defects of society lie in the form of society or in the individuals who create it’’ ( michale). Golding shows the evil within by using Jack. He symbolizes the cruel, and evil tendencies that we all have within each of us. He also leads the hunters, and when they first find a pig jack couldn't kill it. which shows how Jack was civilized, but then later on he killed the pig without hesitation. "'We've got to have rules and obey them. After all, we're not savages. We're English, and the English are best at everything.'" ( pg. 40) This shows how Jack thought he would never become a savage, because he is "English" but in the end he is far more savage than english.
By using symbols, conflicts, and characterization Golding successfully conveys the theme of atavism throughout Lord of the flies. Golding uses the symbol of the conch to show atavism of mankind and the breakdown of democracy on the island. Characterization of jack and the hunters provide us with great examples of atavism in man through the change that we see with in them. The conflicts on the island helped show the evil tendencies of the id with in us all. Goldings Lord of the flies is the kind of book in which we learn more about mankind than any
symbolism is also used to show man kinds breakdown into evil tendencies. An obvious symbol in the novel that best represents evil is the beast but the beast is actually all of the boys …show more content…
In this fashion, he can test whether the defects of society lie in the form of society or in the individuals who create it’’ ( michale). Golding shows the evil within by using Jack. He symbolizes the cruel, and evil tendencies that we all have within each of us. He also leads the hunters, and when they first find a pig jack couldn't kill it. which shows how Jack was civilized, but then later on he killed the pig without hesitation. "'We've got to have rules and obey them. After all, we're not savages. We're English, and the English are best at everything.'" ( pg. 40) This shows how Jack thought he would never become a savage, because he is "English" but in the end he is far more savage than english.
By using symbols, conflicts, and characterization Golding successfully conveys the theme of atavism throughout Lord of the flies. Golding uses the symbol of the conch to show atavism of mankind and the breakdown of democracy on the island. Characterization of jack and the hunters provide us with great examples of atavism in man through the change that we see with in them. The conflicts on the island helped show the evil tendencies of the id with in us all. Goldings Lord of the flies is the kind of book in which we learn more about mankind than any