What motivates someone to open the door for someone else, to defend and aid those in need, or to be distressed when they see another suffer? Empathy, the ability to imagine oneself in another’s situation, and the fear of repercussions if one doesn’t follow social conduct. In this way, it seems that human nature is inherently evil – or to be less extreme, inherently selfish; many acts of kindness are performed essentially to look after oneself, even if one doesn’t realize it. Pride and Prejudice is set in an environment in which social conduct and regulations strictly control people’s behavior. In Lord of the Flies, by contrast, it is the lack of these laws and empathy that brings about chaos and destruction. Even so, the selfishness of human
…show more content…
However, in Pride and Prejudice, there is an excess of rules, creating an unjust society for women and for the poor. The strictures of the civilized world keep Austen’s characters from devolving into murderous chaos, but certain baser instincts of human nature still show through in Lord of the Flies. This manifests in the struggle for power and the deaths of those who cannot adapt. In Pride and Prejudice, it is exhibited as the power of choice that men hold, especially wealthy men, and the way in which the world must struggle to revolve around their power. In both settings, people frequently push others down in order to aid themselves. In Lord of the Flies, this selfishness is propelled by greed for power and fear of the beast. Instead, in Pride and Prejudice it is presented in the very sentiments named in the title; these are seen time and time again in the arrangements of marriage, which is used as a method of shifting power and …show more content…
Marriage is a key subject matter in this book, discussed from the first sentence: “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife” (1). This quote shows what an obvious, essential, and indisputable matter marriage is viewed as. Girls are expected to marry for status rather than love; as Charlotte says of Jane, “There are very few of us who have heart enough to be really in love without encouragement…when she is secure of him, there will be leisure for falling in love as much as she chuses.” There are numerous other norms pressed on women – for example, when Elizabeth walks to the Bingley’s estate, they are all shocked that she has walked so far, especially by herself. In contrast, there are not nearly enough rules enforced in Lord of the Flies. At the start, Piggy looks to Ralph for guidance, and he easily takes the position of leader; he blows the conch, summoning everyone on the island, and instructs Piggy to take down the names of the boys. This brings some control and relief to all the boys, simply because “something was being done” (18). Throughout the book, the boys cease to listen to Ralph and remember the laws of civility, but instead follow the brutish ways of Jack. Because of this, they devolve to the point of being tribal, something perceived only by Piggy and Ralph, who begins calling
However, in Pride and Prejudice, there is an excess of rules, creating an unjust society for women and for the poor. The strictures of the civilized world keep Austen’s characters from devolving into murderous chaos, but certain baser instincts of human nature still show through in Lord of the Flies. This manifests in the struggle for power and the deaths of those who cannot adapt. In Pride and Prejudice, it is exhibited as the power of choice that men hold, especially wealthy men, and the way in which the world must struggle to revolve around their power. In both settings, people frequently push others down in order to aid themselves. In Lord of the Flies, this selfishness is propelled by greed for power and fear of the beast. Instead, in Pride and Prejudice it is presented in the very sentiments named in the title; these are seen time and time again in the arrangements of marriage, which is used as a method of shifting power and …show more content…
Marriage is a key subject matter in this book, discussed from the first sentence: “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife” (1). This quote shows what an obvious, essential, and indisputable matter marriage is viewed as. Girls are expected to marry for status rather than love; as Charlotte says of Jane, “There are very few of us who have heart enough to be really in love without encouragement…when she is secure of him, there will be leisure for falling in love as much as she chuses.” There are numerous other norms pressed on women – for example, when Elizabeth walks to the Bingley’s estate, they are all shocked that she has walked so far, especially by herself. In contrast, there are not nearly enough rules enforced in Lord of the Flies. At the start, Piggy looks to Ralph for guidance, and he easily takes the position of leader; he blows the conch, summoning everyone on the island, and instructs Piggy to take down the names of the boys. This brings some control and relief to all the boys, simply because “something was being done” (18). Throughout the book, the boys cease to listen to Ralph and remember the laws of civility, but instead follow the brutish ways of Jack. Because of this, they devolve to the point of being tribal, something perceived only by Piggy and Ralph, who begins calling