The Balance of Both Within
As expressed by William Golding, “The theme is an attempt to trace the defects of society back to the defects in human nature…” (Golding 204). The novel Lord of the Flies contains many examples of symbolism throughout its text. Within the text, the relationship between good and bad, and how it derives from society, show the true nature of human beings during the World War II time period. The good, bad, and the balance of both personalities are what help to show the true defects within society. As indicated previously, William Golding provides examples that represent the boys as the better aspects of society. For example, Simon is represented as a pure being, practically heavenly. Although quiet and often underestimated, …show more content…
The group argues about it, and when Jack sarcastically asks, “Through the forest by himself? Now?” and Simon who responds, “I’ll go if you’d like. I don’t mind. honestly” (Golding 117). Although the boys are all scared of venturing through the dark because they are afraid of the beast, Simon knows that the beast does not physically exist. He knows that the beast is simply within all of the boys’ personalities. Therefore, he has nothing to fear but the boys themselves. With the knowledge of no beast within the forest, he ventures into forest for the group’s benefit. In fact, Simon’s personal aspects are a physical representation of human decency within all human beings. However, when Simon dies, his purity and ambition dies along with him, and all that’s left is a modicum of hope left within Piggy. Piggy, although not as influential as Simon, also contributes to the representation of the more realistic goodness within human beings. Piggy’s intelligence is an example of the civilized goodness within him. Although Ralph enforces them, Piggy is usually the one who comes up with the ideas to help the group. For example, when faced with the task of being rescued, Piggy makes it understood …show more content…
As seen constantly throughout the book, Jack Merridew is one with evil flowing throughout his veins. When presented with the task of hunting the pig, at first he has inner conflictions, possibly with the rules that were previously taught to him in England. Yet, with the evil that truly controls him comes forth his true nature. When others start to doubt his abilities, he becomes defensive, “We wounded the pig and the spear fell out. If we could only make barbs-” (Golding 51). With that defensive nature turns to corruption, which is soon seen in his successful attempt in tracking the pig. In fact, “He began to dance and his laughter became a bloodthirsty snarling” (Golding 64), and his barbarism began to grow from then on. From the beginning, Jack shows signs of savagery. Yet, it isn’t until the pig hunt that his beast within him comes forth. After the pig hunt, Jack is seen on all fours, he starts painting his face with blood, and is simply becoming more animal like than before. It is only until after the death of the sow that causes him to completely lash out. It was his total brutality that had shown the potential of evil that may be buried within humans. Although the most prevalent source of evil, Jack was not the only one with corruption brewing within him. Roger was also an example of a tainted soul. Even though he may have been seen as a helpful being in the
As expressed by William Golding, “The theme is an attempt to trace the defects of society back to the defects in human nature…” (Golding 204). The novel Lord of the Flies contains many examples of symbolism throughout its text. Within the text, the relationship between good and bad, and how it derives from society, show the true nature of human beings during the World War II time period. The good, bad, and the balance of both personalities are what help to show the true defects within society. As indicated previously, William Golding provides examples that represent the boys as the better aspects of society. For example, Simon is represented as a pure being, practically heavenly. Although quiet and often underestimated, …show more content…
The group argues about it, and when Jack sarcastically asks, “Through the forest by himself? Now?” and Simon who responds, “I’ll go if you’d like. I don’t mind. honestly” (Golding 117). Although the boys are all scared of venturing through the dark because they are afraid of the beast, Simon knows that the beast does not physically exist. He knows that the beast is simply within all of the boys’ personalities. Therefore, he has nothing to fear but the boys themselves. With the knowledge of no beast within the forest, he ventures into forest for the group’s benefit. In fact, Simon’s personal aspects are a physical representation of human decency within all human beings. However, when Simon dies, his purity and ambition dies along with him, and all that’s left is a modicum of hope left within Piggy. Piggy, although not as influential as Simon, also contributes to the representation of the more realistic goodness within human beings. Piggy’s intelligence is an example of the civilized goodness within him. Although Ralph enforces them, Piggy is usually the one who comes up with the ideas to help the group. For example, when faced with the task of being rescued, Piggy makes it understood …show more content…
As seen constantly throughout the book, Jack Merridew is one with evil flowing throughout his veins. When presented with the task of hunting the pig, at first he has inner conflictions, possibly with the rules that were previously taught to him in England. Yet, with the evil that truly controls him comes forth his true nature. When others start to doubt his abilities, he becomes defensive, “We wounded the pig and the spear fell out. If we could only make barbs-” (Golding 51). With that defensive nature turns to corruption, which is soon seen in his successful attempt in tracking the pig. In fact, “He began to dance and his laughter became a bloodthirsty snarling” (Golding 64), and his barbarism began to grow from then on. From the beginning, Jack shows signs of savagery. Yet, it isn’t until the pig hunt that his beast within him comes forth. After the pig hunt, Jack is seen on all fours, he starts painting his face with blood, and is simply becoming more animal like than before. It is only until after the death of the sow that causes him to completely lash out. It was his total brutality that had shown the potential of evil that may be buried within humans. Although the most prevalent source of evil, Jack was not the only one with corruption brewing within him. Roger was also an example of a tainted soul. Even though he may have been seen as a helpful being in the