Examining Human Nature's Duality Why are people executing acts of compassion and horrifying deeds of cruelty? William Golding's novel Lord of the Flies reinforces an astonishingly captivating representation of human disposition in the face of hardship. It exemplifies how astonishingly frightening predicaments can bring out the worst or the good in us. The novel illustrates a group of boys who become abandoned on an island following an airplane mishap. The boys reside independently of their parents, but as time goes on, their actions reveal both the grotesque aspects of human nature and depict the humanitarian aspects of human nature. The characteristics of Ralph, Piggy, and Simon provide excellent representations of how, regardless of difficult …show more content…
Notwithstanding the difficult conditions and the lure toward savagery on the island, Ralph's persistent commitment to civility, cooperation, and reason exemplifies his intrinsic nobility as both a leader and a person. Ralph repeatedly showcases his fundamental integrity as a leader and the simplicity of a person throughout the novel by going against Jack and his adherents' viciousness. He endeavors to preserve the group's dignity and focuses on constructing an equitable and direct democratic civilization on the island that acknowledges the liberties and opinions of everybody. Ralph remains receptive to understanding whatever Piggy and Simon want to input in decision-making and continuously pursues rules to enhance the circumstances on the island for the group's betterment. Especially whenever he makes mistakes, he indicates a genuine willingness to realize, and he continuously searches for alternative approaches to complications and misunderstandings. Considering the numerous hardships he experiences on the island, Ralph continues to adhere to his values without hesitation. Following their plane crash, which left Ralph and several other boys stranded on a remote island in the middle of nowhere, they fully comprehend the seriousness of their predicament. The guys …show more content…
He accomplishes this by employing his cleverness, practicality, and dedication to sustaining rule and justification throughout the chaotic environment while demonstrating respect toward his peers. Piggy is depicted throughout the book as a young, bright, and sensible boy with a strong understanding of the sciences. He initially suggests they should operate conferences and formulate non-talking restrictions utilizing the conch shell, but becomes consistently prompt to inform the younger children about respective duties and agreements. Piggy continually fosters togetherness and teamwork, comprehending that their lives depend upon functioning together, particularly in contrast to the spontaneous and hostile behavior among many of the other boys. Throughout his encounters with the other boys, Piggy demonstrates the characteristic of civility. While becoming the subject of deplorable mocking and torment, he approaches everyone sincerely, without descending below their degree of shame. He rarely fails to remember the importance of establishing a semblance of law and civility throughout their civilization, and he is always eager to assist. Through the character of Piggy, Golding emphasizes the importance of rationality and cooperation within human nature. Piggy's wit and senseis are excellent reminders that by banding together and equally sharing resources, we can
The boys knew Ralph would do what is right and best and in the end what they truly wanted. The other boys would be happy that they got a say in what happened on the island as well. Ralph did not change much in the novel, he mostly stuck to his ways of civilization, law, order and rescue. He tasted the urge of savagery in the novel and understands why the other boys have acted so savagely. Although he realized he must stay civilized and did not change.
It is shown in the beginning, Piggy appears as a scared little boy that got badly bullied at school. He differs from others because of his weight, asthma, and glasses. The children assume that his appearance means that he would not be a good leader. Although Piggy provided large amounts
Ralph’s role in the island is civilization and order. At the beginning of the story, most of the boys are focused on the fact that there are no adults on the island. The boys are unfocused on the task at hand, and they are trying to have fun. On the other hand, Ralph is focused on getting the group rescued and safe. Here’s a quote of Ralph taking control of the group, “By the time Ralph finished blowing the conch the platform was crowded” (Golding 23).
Along with giving up easily Ralph also doesn’t like to take advice from others. Piggy an intelligent and not so good looking boy who gave a lot of advise to Ralph. Ralph didn’t listen to him partly because of his larger apperence but mostly because he was to selfish to. After Jack and his hunters left Ralph’s leadership Ralph was prepared to fight Jack to get his followers back. Piggy knew that this wasn’t going to end well and tried to convince Ralph to just go back to their side of the island.
By accepting that what he did was wrong, Ralph preserves his humanity while all the other boys are starting to become savages. The world around them has started to change them, yet Ralph remains unchanged. Ralph’s civility is also shown near the end of the book. In Chapter 12, a naval officer discovers the island and sees Ralph. When the officer addresses Ralph, Ralph is not relieved by being saved from being killed by Jack’s tribe.
Ralph addresses the situation instead of sitting back intimidated. He is attempting to show the boys that there are no dangerous “beast” on the island. With Ralph’s actions of authority, he is showing constant responsibility in the
Ralph and the boys were out looking for a boar when one ran across the group of boys, so Ralph “was able to measure the distance coldly and take aim” (162). Ralph became a leader and stepped up and got the kids something to eat so they don’t starve. In real life people usually follow leaders that promise to do things that other people can’t like how Ralph told the kids he could protect them and get them off the island. The boys left Ralph and found a new leader while ralph tries to regain his leadership role
This displays how Piggy is sagacious and knowledgeable, by giving accommodating propositions in a time of desperate need when the rest of the boys are quite lost and do not quite know what to do, for he is the only one smart enough to dare and bring up such an idea. Suggesting rational solutions and helping the boys find a way by using his intellectuality, to create smoke, exhibits his insightful collaboration in order to get rescued. Another example that demonstrates Piggy is incisive is when he declares, “You have doctors for everything, even the inside of your mind. You don’t really mean that we got to be frightened all the time of nothing? Life…is scientific, that’s what it is.
Upon arriving, Ralph’s primary ambition is to get off the island safely, considering the expected immaturity in reaction to the boys’ sudden loss of authority. He manages to maintain this intention regardless of his job or worth in society among the boys. As evil challenges his capability to retain this quality by the irony of the fire, breaking of the conch, and overall destruction of civilization, demonstrates his level of mental strength considering all of the odds against his favor. Having the, “voice of someone who [knows their] own mind,” and instituting an independent attitude towards his goal, Ralph displays competence and trust in his capabilities rather than depending on that of others. As displayed in his immediate need for order, Ralph establishes a plan to get off of the island.
The conch symbolizes the authority held within the group, keeping in mind that whoever has possession is responsible for speaking. Likewise, Golding demonstrates how authority only has power when society agrees that it does, “They looked at him with eyes that lacked interest in what they saw...” (44). The boys seem to give Piggy no type of attention when he expresses his thoughts and point of view on how to improve their lifestyle on the island. Despite the fact that Piggy is very smart, the others just notice his weight and insecurities which they often take advantage of.
“Which is better--to be a pack of painted Indians like you are, or to be sensible like Ralph is?” (Golding 180). As he becomes completely outspoken, Piggy has no regard for the feelings of the other boys and neglects to consider how they might react to such a situation, putting his ideas before himself. Piggy changes through the hardships that the other boys put him through, and when he finally changes his character and ignores what others think of him, he grows in his character. Yet, in the end he is also hurt through his changes.
All throughout the book Piggy is faced with many challenges where most people would act in a bad manner, although Piggy is always responding very appropriately and does not act wrongly against the other. All these examples show how Piggy
Throughout the novel, Piggy is presented as the civilized voice of reason in society. Piggy presents several ideas that become “law” in the society that
Ralph also illustrates his organized frame of mind when he establishes a division of labor on the island. “‘Three of us will go on an expedition and find out [if they’re on an island]. I’ll go [Ralph], and Jack and… Simon.’” (Golding 20). Like most elected officials, Ralph quickly realizes that he has responsibilities: to feed, to protect and to delegate.
Using these tools, William Golding clearly implies the epitome of human nature. The character’s exhibit realistic tendencies to discriminate, oppress, and submit to temptations on a clean slate such as the island all reflect the theme of human nature. Ultimately, these tendencies also imply that humans are innately evil and ultimately