Lord of the Flies
William Golding's Lord of the Flies shows that in the absence of civilization humans will return to their primal instincts of Evil, "Lord of the Flies portrays a gradual reversion to the most primitive and bloodthirsty savagery" (Green 162). One interpretation of Golding's philosophy is that every individual must acknowledge his or her connection to all people. The lack of awareness of this fact is the root of humanity's problems. People no longer see themselves as a whole, but rather islands, too self-absorbed to see the world around them. Humans must find a way to connect with outer reality. Human intelligence will allow humans to make the connection: people cannot change basic human nature but can recognize and understand it. In doing so, individuals can choose to suppress the savagery beneath their humanity. In 1939, at the start of World War II, Golding was a schoolteacher at a boy's school in Salisbury, Wiltshire. In 1940, Golding joined the Royal Navy. Golding's active participation in World War II as an officer in the Royal Navy, figures significantly as an influence on Lord of the Flies. The experience was a turning point in Golding's life. Golding's long watches at sea gave him the opportunity to return to hi
in Contemporary Literary Criticism. Lord of the Flies is concerned with the primal loss of innocence" (Green 162). Hoping his news will somehow prevent any further deterioration of the island, and perhaps restore some of the unity that once existed among the boys, Simon goes to share his findings. "The abrupt return to childhood, to insignificance, underscores the argument of the narrative: that Evil is inherent in the human mind itself, whatever innocence may cloak it, ready to put forth its strength as soon as the occasion is propitious" (Peter 158); the original system is replaced with a new oneľa reign founded on personal gratification, intimidation, and terror. Piggy represents the intellectual power and insight gained from observation.
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Acceptance Essays
