On the surface, Lord of the Flies seems like a book about wild children, but there is much more to this novel than that. William Golding's novel is overflowing with symbols and messages. The main message is that when society breaks down, the worst parts of human nature are expressed.
             The violent part of human nature is apparent throughout the entire book. The violence in human nature is first shown during the hunts and killings of the pigs which were accompanied by the violent chanting, "Kill the beast! Cut his throat! Spill his blood!" The boy's violent nature is even more apparent when they brutally murder Simon and Piggy. "At once the crowd surged after it, poured down the rock, leapt on the beast screamed struck, bit, tore. There were no words, and no movements but the tearing of teeth and claws." It is very obvious that instead of thinking about the murder of Simon, their instincts bring them to do that and their human nature is released.
             Another negative aspect human nature that is shown in the book was the humans need for power. Throughout the book, Jack has a disliking for Ralph. This dislike emerges from Jack's jealousy of Ralph's power over the boys. Jack goes to great lengths to obtain power, even bribing the boys with meat to gain power of the group. Another negative human instinct was the fear of challenging power. None of the boys would go against Jack even though they knew he was wrong. The reason for not challenging him was the tendency of the boys to cling to those with power, no matter what. They were followers and sought benefit by seeking the approval of the powerful.
             Selfishness and self-centeredness was also apparent in the nature of these boys. Although at first each of the boys acted constructively because that was how they had been taught to act all their lives. However, once they realized that there was no society to punish them they sto...