The Lord of the Flies Writing Assignment
             Thomas Hobbes has views of how society comes into existence, in that man is purely selfish by nature. He believes that the only reason forms of social structure exist it is mans individual best interest to have one. Lord of the Flies, written by William Golden supports this idea. Hobbes theory is demonstrated in this novel through it's main characters.
             Throughout the novel, Ralph is constantly trying to form a democratic society on the island that concentrates on being saved, and immediately takes the leadership role. While some would simply view him as the "good guy", he is only acting in his best interest. The first thing he orders the group to do is make fire "We must make smoke on the island we must make fire (pg 38)." He also states "We wont be painted, because we aren't savages (pg 172)." He is doing everything he can to keep things as if they were back in Britain, he is not putting in all this effort for the sake of everyone, but to make sure he gets home safely.
             Piggy is another example of this. He believes society should be the way Ralph wants it. Stating, "Which is better, to be a pack of painted Indians like you are, or to be sensible like Ralph is.... Which is better, to have laws and agree, or to hunt and kill? (pg 42)" Piggy is a person who has always been a follower, and finds comfort in having someone there to tell him what's right. He is selfish in the sense that he manipulates Ralph into being a perfect leader, at his weakest points. When Ralph is at his lowest and piggy reminds him of the importance of the fire he immediately says "Your chief Ralph you remember everything (pg 160)" It is in Piggy's best interest to have a leader to depend on, for keeping society the way he wants it, because he does not want to put himself out there in that way, he does not "fit the part" of a leader s
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