William Golding's Lord Of The Flies: Are Humans Good Or Evil?

Are humans inherently good or evil? The simple question has been asked many times, even though the answer isn't so simple. In William Golding's novel, Lord of the Flies, he further explores the concept. His novel is viewed through young boys trapped on a deserted island, striving to survive. In The Most Dangerous Game, Richard Connell investigates influences and integrity. In non-fiction texts, like "Why Boys Become Vicious" also by William Golding, the author defends his position and gives specific examples to support his stance. In other non-fiction works, authors have given their own views of human's natural behavior. Although some authors believe humans are good and others believe they are inherently evil, based on the evidence humans are born balance with both good and evil. Different situations however, shape their behavior and cause them to be either more good or evil.

“Evil is the exercise of power. And that's the key: it's about power. To intentionally harm people psychologically, to hurt people physically, to destroy people mortally, or ideas, and to commit crimes against humanity.” When removed from the societal structures that dictate appropriate behavior people will revert to uncivil and often malicious behavior, as we see in Golding’s Lord of the Flies when a group of adolescent boys quickly transition from a structured, governed, society among themselves into violence and cruelty. The horrific acts performed by the boys point to the conclusion that humans as a whole are innately evil, and, if removed from societal expectations, people will give in to their most animalistic impulses.

A great deal of people see the good in others, and believe that humans are kind-hearted. But, humans are not generous, instead, they are beings who when faced upon a difficult situation, would believe to be considered as a helper, but are in fact are harmful. In the article “Good vs Evil, Boston and Beyond,” by Sam Sacks, Sacks believes that humans are innately good. When “tragedy” comes about, where one, or many are in need of help, she believes that kindness comes out, as the citizens “become helpers”. (Sacks 16) Sam can use this claim to support their idea, as in times of need, “helpers” arrive. These “helpers” are born pure, and believe that helping others will make the world a better place. With no hesitation, the individuals imagine that helping others would potentially change lives, and that the generosity they spread, has a rippling effect throughout society. With one action, many others can arise, creating a chain of events of people assisting each other. Though Sacks brings a good argument that humans are born good, they are indeed evil. In the novel Lord of the Flies, the “helpers” were nonexistent, and instead, carelessness was displayed by the boys. When Ralph, Piggy, and Samneric headed towards Jack’s camp to retrieve Piggy’s stolen glasses, chaos arose as Jack refused to give Piggy’s glasses back, bringing forth a fight. During the fight, Roger was in an elated mood when he pulled a lever, releasing an enormous, powerful, boulder. The death of piggy left the boys unfazed. Ralph was “aware” of the boulder, but decided not to mention anything. (Golding 180-181) Ralph was apparently “aware” of the boulder; this displayed the internal conflict within himself. This internal conflict, His decision to not inform Piggy of the incoming boulder displayed him as being absent minded, and barbaric. Ralph purposely stood watching the forceful boulder plumet

When humans are pushed to survive, they are willing to do anything to do so. In the novel “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding, a group of boys are stranded on an island and have to survive, however as the story progresses the boys become more barbaric and savage like. Even though there are good people in this world, there will always be evil. Why does evil exist? Golding’s belief of human nature is that humans are naturally evil and savage. However, law and civility keep humans from turning into this natural state of evil and Golding uses the development of Jack to show how savagery is created.

Throughout history, philosophers have wondered what essentially drives people to do certain actions. It is not clear whether these actions occur because humans are intrinsically good or bad. Nevertheless, the novel Lord of the Flies and several historical examples provide some insight into why human beings may be fundamentally bad.

Human nature is complex. It may take over an individual’s mind in many desperate and threatening situations. In Golding’s compelling novel, Lord of the Flies, it is implied that the evil, or bad side of humanity will overshadow the good. However, there are certain situations present in the novel that portray the opposite. The depiction of human nature in this novel creates a nice balance between the positive and negative aspects of humanity. Although Golding’s novel is portrayed as pessimistic, Ralph’s words and actions when dealing with various situations, Sam and Eric’s loyalty to Ralph, and the boys’ rescue at the end of the novel contradict this idea, creating a commendable balance of pessimistic and optimistic situations.

Another part of what makes humans evil is their psychopathic behavior. An

Although humankind attempts its best at preventing evil actions, eventually evil rises above all else. While humans are living ordinary lives and living in ignorance, evil is always scheming and waiting to slide up behind the turned backs of society as depicted in William Golding’s Lord of the Flies. One could argue that this is not the case and that good deeds always overshadow evil and that evil is just an occasional blip. However, what one’s opinion of society does not outshine the cold hard facts of humankind’s natural tendencies; specifically, how things are never as they seem, how easily humans can betray their emotions and how humans choose to ignore difficult situations in the search for an easy

Knowing William Golding took part of World War II, we as readers can understand why Golding wrote Lord of the Flies and other survival-fiction novels. When the story was released in 1954, Golding described his book as "an attempt to trace the defects of society back to the defects of human nature." It is unmistakably obvious to anyone who reads this book that Golding is trying to exaggerate the good and evil in the boys on the island. Throughout the book, we learn that people, including children, are not pure goodness. Deep inside there is an evil constantly trying to rise to the surface of our minds. Golding proves that eventually the evil within us will destroy us. Golding saw in World War II what

Are humans naturally good or evil? In William Golding’s novel, Lord of the Flies, the idea that humanity is inherently evil is demonstrated through the characters’ treatment of each other. Likewise, the isolated example of the inherent evil nature displayed by stranded children on the island has played out in real human history over last 50 years. In the novel and in the past, the main source of evil is mankind’s egotistical nature, which is manifested through selfishness, cruelty, and disregard for the feelings of others. The egotistical nature of humans is depicted in some characters, such as Jack.

From the moment they are born, humans have a naturally evil predisposition. Although the term ‘evil’ is difficult to define, there are various views on morality. The most commonly referenced one, Moral Objectivism, holds that moral standards are universally transcendent, and that certain acts are right or wrong independent of human subjectivity. It is by this unspoken moral code that humanity’s acts are judged. There is some debate whether a fundamental human nature exists, as social and environmental influences are present from the moment someone is born. But if we can define human nature, it is beyond doubt, naturally evil. The English philosopher Thomas

“The theme is an attempt to trace the defects of society back to the defects of human nature. The moral is that the shape of a society must depend on the ethical nature of the individual and not on any political system however apparently logical or respectable.” With this quote, William Golding simply justifies the theme and moral presented in his novel, Lord of the Flies. The characters portray a modern society and depict the cruelty of human disposition. The political system in the U.S., as a whole, is a prime example of the ignorance towards ethical nature and is definitely blameworthy of the ruthlessness of mankind as individuals. Change is needed!

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the Earth. After having created everything on Earth, He made man. “The Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.’”(NIV Genesis 2:15). Thus, He made Eve from the rib of Adam. God told Adam and Eve not to eat from the tree of knowledge but the evil serpent, who was craftier than them, tricked Eve into eating the fruit. Eve later convinced Adam after having argued with him and he gave in. Both were punished by God for having gone against His word and would suffer the consequences of it. “So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. After He drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden a cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life” (Genesis 3:23-24).

Many years ago, Charles Darwin introduced a theory that we humans are a species which evolved from animals that have inhabited the Earth for many years, and he believed that we were civilized, intelligent, and logical life forms for these very reasons. In the novel, Lord of the Flies by William Golding there is a prominent theme of good versus evil which reveals that maybe humans are not the civilized human beings that they were said to be. William Golding carefully netted this theme with his utilization of literary device such as his symbolism. Golding uses this simple story of English boys stranded on an inhabited island to illustrate how destructive humans can be when implanted in a impoverished environment where they

Whether human beings are instinctually good or evil in an elementary natural state is a question that has been boggling the minds of even the greatest philosophers. There is a spectrum of theories that support both good and evil within the human race, each with valid points that explains the range of our interests, being either for ourselves or for others. However, my personal stance is the sensible theory of Altruism. Past experiences and observations allow me to take the stance, and support the argument that humans are caring and genuinely good individuals and have the will and desire to help those around them.