Carl Jung defines a persona as a different, modified version of an individual that helps one adapt to “the different roles [they] play in life.” He believes that the persona is something that is ever-changing, but is separate from the true personality of said individual. William Golding creates an interestingly dystopian tale showcasing the very worst of humanity in Lord of the Flies, a novel about a crowd of young boys who end up stranded on a deserted island. Roger, one of these boys, demonstrates Jung’s example of what a persona is. Roger’s true persona emerges over the course of the novel: from the way he is described initially, to his tentative rock-throwing, and finally his outright physical torture.
Roger’s true persona is hinted at …show more content…
He goes with Jack to Castle Rock and quickly solidifies his place there as a powerful figure that shows no mercy, and he delights in doing so. When Jack and his tribe captured the twins, Roger immediately stepped forth: “Roger edged past the chief… Samneric lay looking up in quiet terror. Roger advanced upon them wielding nameless authority.” (182). Roger delights in having control over other people and hurting them. Later on, he takes even more sadistic pleasure when he kills Piggy. He evolves past merely throwing rocks and unleashes a boulder on Piggy, resulting in a violent and gruesome end to his life. When he pulls the lever that set the boulder loose he feels “a sense of delirious abandonment” (180). Roger revels in having control over other people to the point where their life is in his hands. His sick and twisted persona is set free as he descends into a madness only people with tight power over other people seem to experience. Roger’s true persona finally emerges.
Roger from William Golding’s Lord of the Flies is a perfect example of Jung’s definition of persona and how when one allows it to encompass who they are entirely, it is damaging, as how Roger’s true sociopathic persona becomes all he is known for in the novel. From the way Roger is described from the get-go, to the testing of his boundaries as he throws
Roger’s true persona is hinted at …show more content…
He goes with Jack to Castle Rock and quickly solidifies his place there as a powerful figure that shows no mercy, and he delights in doing so. When Jack and his tribe captured the twins, Roger immediately stepped forth: “Roger edged past the chief… Samneric lay looking up in quiet terror. Roger advanced upon them wielding nameless authority.” (182). Roger delights in having control over other people and hurting them. Later on, he takes even more sadistic pleasure when he kills Piggy. He evolves past merely throwing rocks and unleashes a boulder on Piggy, resulting in a violent and gruesome end to his life. When he pulls the lever that set the boulder loose he feels “a sense of delirious abandonment” (180). Roger revels in having control over other people to the point where their life is in his hands. His sick and twisted persona is set free as he descends into a madness only people with tight power over other people seem to experience. Roger’s true persona finally emerges.
Roger from William Golding’s Lord of the Flies is a perfect example of Jung’s definition of persona and how when one allows it to encompass who they are entirely, it is damaging, as how Roger’s true sociopathic persona becomes all he is known for in the novel. From the way Roger is described from the get-go, to the testing of his boundaries as he throws