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Argumentative Essay On Lord Of The Flies

1410 Words6 Pages

Valeria Kiggundu
Mrs.Osgood
Honors English 10
16 June 2023
Power: Friend or Foe?
Why do some people believe that having power gives them the right to control their lives? In the book Lord of the Flies, William Golding expresses this through a group of boys stranded on an island. With no civilization, no communication, and only faith and survival instincts, this ultimately led the protagonist Ralph to assume the role of leader and look out for boys. Personal power refers to the ability to stay present with and control one’s thoughts and behaviors. Robert W. Firestone, in his article ‘Personal Power,’ discusses the concept of personal power, explaining that those who understand the dynamics of personal power are better able to manage their …show more content…

Power, when used responsibly and with strong leadership qualities, can be a valuable tool for enforcing rules, solving problems, and achieving common goals as a group.
The responsible use of power can be a valuable resource for creating and enforcing rules and regulations, as demonstrated by Golding's Lord of the Flies. Power is closely associated with consequences and rules; by having laws and regulations that must be followed, Ralph is able to bring authority and structure to the island, thereby protecting the members of society's rights and welfare. He states, 'Fire on the mountain!' said Ralph. "I'll give the signal...Keep the fire burning’(Golding 53). As a result, Ralph is portrayed as an instrument of power among the boys, as he is able to influence their decisions, in this case building a signal fire on the mountain to try and attract the attention of any passing ships, as well as using a conch to let them know who is speaking and …show more content…

In addition to the article Power Of Influence written by Alex Lickerman, finding a way for both parties to meet in the middle. Throughout the novel, readers can observe how the responsible use of power by Ralph and Piggy lead to the development of a civilized society, while Jack's power-hungry and oppressive regimes prove disastrous. Similarly, Firestone's findings emphasize the importance of the ethical use of power due to its immense influence on goals, decisions, relationships, and overall success locking in the idea that integrity and humility, not greed, are vital to responsible leadership. In addition to addressing the common abuse of power, it is still possible to find a common ground between the two, offering a solution that benefits both parties. Overall, it is evident that power, although a powerful tool, should be used thoughtfully and wisely, with a focus on building bridges rather than burning

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