Evil Instincts in Lord of the Flies
Evil Instincts in Lord of the FliesEvil Instincts by Sasha-Li Chinloy
EVIL INSTINCTS
The world is composed of both good and evil. However, it seems that the evil component prevails over the good component. The media is bombarded with headlines such as those dealing with the Montreal Massacre, the Paul Bernado/ Carla Hamolka saga and the Columbine Shooting. This evil can be traced beyond the headlines to the root of the problem. The root of the problem is the darkness of human nature. The darkness of human nature is shown in William Golding’s novel, Lord of the Flies. This 1954 Nobel Prize Award winner shows the disintegration from a good and civilized society to an evil and barbaric one. Golding’s pessimistic view of the human nature is shown through the character Jack, the actions of the tribe and the fate of Simon.
William Golding’s negative perspective of the darkness of human nature is shown through the actions and the personality of Jack. Jack is initially portrayed as a British choirboy who is prim and proper. Throughout the novel, this façade is gotten rid of. His dark nature shows through more and more. In the beginning Jack shows hostility towards Piggy when he says, “You’re talking too much…Shut up, Fatty,” (Golding, 23). This cruel nature of the human heart is followed up by many more events. When Jack paints his face, “He knelt, holding the shell of water…He looked in astonishment…at an awesome stranger…He began to dance and his laughter became a bloodthirsty snarl,” (Golding, 69). This unveiling of Jack’s dark nature leads to the hunt of the pig. This hunt is not only a hunt for food but also a kill to fulfill his dark nature. After the pig is viciously killed, Jack announces proudly, “I cut the pig’s throat…Can I borrow yours, Ralph, to make a nick in the hilt?” (Golding, 75). Jack’s brutality progresses throughout his stay on the island as does his despise of Ralph. Jack grows wary of Ralph and his rules. To set his nature free, Jack is forced to leave Ralph and his rules. He forms a tribe that is free to be murderous and savage. Jack and Ralph form a rivalry between each other. This rivalry leads to the hunt of Ralph, which is done with “a stick sharpened at both ends,” (Golding, 219). A primary attack on Ralph shows Jack’s true nature when he “viciously, with full intention, Jack hurled his spear at Ralph. The point tore the skin and the flesh over ralph’s ribs, then sheared off and fell in the water,” (Golding, 200). This happens directly after the tribe murders Piggy. Jack is so evil, he not only hunts Ralph, but he does it with a doubly lethal weapon. Golding’s character Jack gives insight to...
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