argumentative essay
Develop an explanation of why some critics feel that Golding's main themes are that there is no hope for mankind, or that evil is an inborn trait of mankind. Be sure to use examples from the book and describe your own ideas.
In the book, Lord of the Flies, there are various examples that attest the evil that is within the hearts of men. Critics, who read the book, feel that most of Golding’s major themes are that there is no hope for mankind, or that evil is an inborn trait of mankind. This paper will prove that human nature is evil and that there is no hope for men, with evidence from the book, Lord of the Flies and ideas from Thomas Hobbes.
To begin with, human nature is intrinsically evil is because all humans are in a state of war. Thomas Hobbes wrote the book Leviathan stated that humans are in state of war, species that are always in competition with each other, until they reach the point of murdering their fellow men just to pursue the things they desire just for themselves. Thomas Hobbes specified that, “the life of man solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.” – (Leviathan, Pt. 1, Ch. 13, and Para. 9). Thomas Hobbes idea of human nature is that it’s dirty and evil, and everything that they chase in their lives is typically just for themselves. Human nature is inherently greedy like dogs, chasing and wanting things that are only good for him self without thinking about others. Obviously, human nature has been identified purely and truly evil.
Moreover, evil lies within each man’s heart, no matter how innocent that certain person can be. Considering the examples from the book, The Lord of the Flies, seeing the boys slipping towards chaos, one of the characters named Roger starts to show the signs of evil or savagery even in the first few chapters. In this quote, Roger’s vindictiveness towards the little boys or ‘littluns’ is already starting, “Roger gathered a handful of stones and began to throw them. Yet there was a space round Henry, perhaps six yards in diameter, into which he dare not throw. Here, invisible yet strong, was the taboo of the old life. Round the squatting child was the protection of parents and school and policemen and the law. “ – (Golding, 2006, p.62). As you can see, Roger’s attitude towards the ‘littluns’ is implying that there is evil in his heart because he has the guts to do such an unpleasant deed to the ‘littluns’ who were building their sandcastle. This example from the book indicates that there is evil that lies within a man’s heart.
Furthermore, in the book, Lord of the Flies, there is an abuse of power, which occurred. Jack, who is the antagonist, represents the theme, abuse of power, and his actions prove that he didn’t use the power and authority he had attained for the good. A quote from Jack tells us that he had abused the authority that had been given to him, “Go on. Tie them.” – (Golding, 2006, p179). In this quote you can tell that Jack has used the supremacy he had for violence. Abuse of power can lead to ferocity and even death. Jack has exploited the power he received and didn’t use it for the betterment of his tribe.
Pursuing this further, the desire to kill dominates the heart of the antagonist, Jack. He loves the idea of murdering a swine and that indicates that there’s a desire to kill in his heart. There is a quote in the book that shows Jack’s craving to kill a swine, “Kill the beast! Cut its throat! Spill the blood!” – (Golding, 2006, p152). In this quote, you can feel Jack’s urge to kill a swine. Jack did not only have the desire to kill swine but he arrived to the point wherein he even attempted to kill his fellow human being, Ralph. Another quote that states Jack’s urge to kill, “Viciously, with full attention, he hurled his spear at Ralph.”—(Golding, 2006, p181). In this quote, the desires of Jack’s heart are becoming more of a savage. The desire to kill has dominated the heart of the kid, which tells us that human nature is innately evil.
In the final analysis, human nature is innately evil because there is evil that lies within each man’s heart. Humans tend to abuse the power or supremacy they receive because they want to pursue things that they’ve desired for themselves only. Human nature has that desire to kill in any situation they’re placed in. Lastly, the life of man is selfish with full greediness, which indicates the evilness, which lies in the hearts of men. The true nature of humans is initially evil and that it’s distinctly inside every human being.
To begin with, human nature is intrinsically evil is because all humans are in a state of war. Thomas Hobbes wrote the book Leviathan stated that humans are in state of war, species that are always in competition with each other, until they reach the point of murdering their fellow men just to pursue the things they desire just for themselves. Thomas Hobbes specified that, “the life of man solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.” – (Leviathan, Pt. 1, Ch. 13, and Para. 9). Thomas Hobbes idea of human nature is that it’s dirty and evil, and everything that they chase in their lives is typically just for themselves. Human nature is inherently greedy like dogs, chasing and wanting things that are only good for him self without thinking about others. Obviously, human nature has been identified purely and truly evil.
Moreover, evil lies within each man’s heart, no matter how innocent that certain person can be. Considering the examples from the book, The Lord of the Flies, seeing the boys slipping towards chaos, one of the characters named Roger starts to show the signs of evil or savagery even in the first few chapters. In this quote, Roger’s vindictiveness towards the little boys or ‘littluns’ is already starting, “Roger gathered a handful of stones and began to throw them. Yet there was a space round Henry, perhaps six yards in diameter, into which he dare not throw. Here, invisible yet strong, was the taboo of the old life. Round the squatting child was the protection of parents and school and policemen and the law. “ – (Golding, 2006, p.62). As you can see, Roger’s attitude towards the ‘littluns’ is implying that there is evil in his heart because he has the guts to do such an unpleasant deed to the ‘littluns’ who were building their sandcastle. This example from the book indicates that there is evil that lies within a man’s heart.
Furthermore, in the book, Lord of the Flies, there is an abuse of power, which occurred. Jack, who is the antagonist, represents the theme, abuse of power, and his actions prove that he didn’t use the power and authority he had attained for the good. A quote from Jack tells us that he had abused the authority that had been given to him, “Go on. Tie them.” – (Golding, 2006, p179). In this quote you can tell that Jack has used the supremacy he had for violence. Abuse of power can lead to ferocity and even death. Jack has exploited the power he received and didn’t use it for the betterment of his tribe.
Pursuing this further, the desire to kill dominates the heart of the antagonist, Jack. He loves the idea of murdering a swine and that indicates that there’s a desire to kill in his heart. There is a quote in the book that shows Jack’s craving to kill a swine, “Kill the beast! Cut its throat! Spill the blood!” – (Golding, 2006, p152). In this quote, you can feel Jack’s urge to kill a swine. Jack did not only have the desire to kill swine but he arrived to the point wherein he even attempted to kill his fellow human being, Ralph. Another quote that states Jack’s urge to kill, “Viciously, with full attention, he hurled his spear at Ralph.”—(Golding, 2006, p181). In this quote, the desires of Jack’s heart are becoming more of a savage. The desire to kill has dominated the heart of the kid, which tells us that human nature is innately evil.
In the final analysis, human nature is innately evil because there is evil that lies within each man’s heart. Humans tend to abuse the power or supremacy they receive because they want to pursue things that they’ve desired for themselves only. Human nature has that desire to kill in any situation they’re placed in. Lastly, the life of man is selfish with full greediness, which indicates the evilness, which lies in the hearts of men. The true nature of humans is initially evil and that it’s distinctly inside every human being.