A plethora of philosophies about human nature theorized during the Enlightenment period was considered to be true. Thomas Hobbes, the author of the Leviathan, expressed his view on how humans are naturally evil, and society is the cure to suppressing this propensity. This view is reflected in William Golding’s novel, the Lord of the Flies, about a group of boys trapped on an island devolving into a group of savages, without any civilization to discipline them. While Golding believes selfishness is an innate component of the human subconscious, this evil manifests itself only upon the assumption of the authority that Thomas Hobbes asserts as necessary for the existence of society.
Hobbes had a cynical perception of mankind, arguing that people …show more content…
The only positive character in the novel, Simon, discovers that there is a “beast” inside all people, evidenced by his confrontation with the Lord of the Flies, a symbol used by Golding to portray man’s inner savage. The Lord of the Flies threatens and mocks Simon, then proceeds to say, “[y]ou knew didn’t you? I’m part of you?” (Golding, 143), the Lord of the Flies said to Simon, indicating that there is a beast within everyone, no matter how good they may seem. The significance of the quote explains why Golding mirrors Hobbes' belief on the vileness of human nature. While the argument can be made that Simon’s very existence as a character with an innately positive and selfless disposition may emanate that Golding believes that humans can be kind, Simon represents a separate entity, one who shares an intimate connection with nature, and therefore relates more to being a symbol of nature than humanity. The scene in which Simon encounters the Lord of the Flies is the most important scene in the entire novel; as Simon’s theory is proven correct, that the “beast” is simply a natural characteristic that all humans possess, symbolizing their thirst for bloodlust and savagery. Jack, a character used to symbolize violence and savagery, throws a spear at Ralph, the protagonist, “[v]iciously, with full intention” (Golding, 181). In the novel, Jack’s tribe demonstrates …show more content…
Hobbes believed in mercilessness and wanted totalitarianism, complete or absolute control over the people, to create a peaceful society, while Golding uses Jack to depict this type of government as inadequate or purposeless. After Jack establishes a new government and makes himself “chief” in chapter 10, all aspects of civilization have been lost. When Jack and his tribe set out to find Ralph, Golding describes how unruly the boys had become, “[t]here was no Piggy to talk sense. There was no solemn assembly for debate nor dignity of the conch” (Golding, 196). Piggy is a character Golding used to symbolize rationality and logic while the conch symbolizes civilization, and now without the presence of these symbols, Golding describes the destruction of the boys’ society, through the death of rationality, debate, and dignity, qualities which are the very bedrock of society. At the end of the novel, the very sanctity that society once had for the boys has been eradicated, therefore disproving Hobbes’ point about effective
Hobbes had a cynical perception of mankind, arguing that people …show more content…
The only positive character in the novel, Simon, discovers that there is a “beast” inside all people, evidenced by his confrontation with the Lord of the Flies, a symbol used by Golding to portray man’s inner savage. The Lord of the Flies threatens and mocks Simon, then proceeds to say, “[y]ou knew didn’t you? I’m part of you?” (Golding, 143), the Lord of the Flies said to Simon, indicating that there is a beast within everyone, no matter how good they may seem. The significance of the quote explains why Golding mirrors Hobbes' belief on the vileness of human nature. While the argument can be made that Simon’s very existence as a character with an innately positive and selfless disposition may emanate that Golding believes that humans can be kind, Simon represents a separate entity, one who shares an intimate connection with nature, and therefore relates more to being a symbol of nature than humanity. The scene in which Simon encounters the Lord of the Flies is the most important scene in the entire novel; as Simon’s theory is proven correct, that the “beast” is simply a natural characteristic that all humans possess, symbolizing their thirst for bloodlust and savagery. Jack, a character used to symbolize violence and savagery, throws a spear at Ralph, the protagonist, “[v]iciously, with full intention” (Golding, 181). In the novel, Jack’s tribe demonstrates …show more content…
Hobbes believed in mercilessness and wanted totalitarianism, complete or absolute control over the people, to create a peaceful society, while Golding uses Jack to depict this type of government as inadequate or purposeless. After Jack establishes a new government and makes himself “chief” in chapter 10, all aspects of civilization have been lost. When Jack and his tribe set out to find Ralph, Golding describes how unruly the boys had become, “[t]here was no Piggy to talk sense. There was no solemn assembly for debate nor dignity of the conch” (Golding, 196). Piggy is a character Golding used to symbolize rationality and logic while the conch symbolizes civilization, and now without the presence of these symbols, Golding describes the destruction of the boys’ society, through the death of rationality, debate, and dignity, qualities which are the very bedrock of society. At the end of the novel, the very sanctity that society once had for the boys has been eradicated, therefore disproving Hobbes’ point about effective