Human Nature In Lord Of The Flies, By William Golding

Renowned American writer and humorist Mark Twain is quoted as saying, “Everyone is a moon, and has a dark side which he never shows to anybody.” Human nature has been observed in countless studies and stories throughout human history, with many writers and researchers having their own opinions and speculations over the topic. While humans tend to favor the idea that humans are inclined to commit acts of selflessness, kindness and cooperation, Author William Golding among others claims that true human nature is evil. In his novel, Lord of the Flies, Golding suggests that aggression and cruelty are qualities which are deeply ingrained in humans, rather than goodness and charity.

In Lord of the Flies, several interactions between the boys on the

In the novel, the nature of power and corruption is explored through the pigs. The book suggests human nature is fundamentally flawed; this is depicted through the actions of the pigs which represent humans in the novel. The pigs routinely changed the wording of the seven commandments which had been set in place previously, notably changing the commandment which forbids the use of alcohol from, "No animal shall drink alcohol” to, “No animal shall drink alcohol TO EXCESS” (Orwell 82.) The pigs are quick to change the rules if they limit their desires and additionally, their willingness to change the rules set in place shows that even those in power, who are supposed to uphold justice and fairness, can succumb to the corrupting influence of power. The pigs also justify their changing of the rules through manipulation and propaganda, this reflects how humans often use manipulation to justify their own immoral behavior. The pig Squealer is the primary manipulator of the other animals on the farm. Through his use of propaganda, Squealer twists the truth of the situation at hand. Squealer convinces the animals that their conditions and leader of the farm, Napoleon, are better than they are. While napoleon slaughters animals of lesser intelligence who do not fully understand their situation and changes the rules to benefit him, Squealer still states that, "No one believes more firmly than Comrade Napoleon that all animals are equal” (Orwell 47.) Squealer blatantly lies to the other animals through his use of propaganda, which serves the pigs' interests at the expense of the other animals. Napoleon does not believe in equality of other animals, as he exploits the animals for their work and limits their rations for the benefit of the pigs. The behavior presented by squealer highlights the fact that humans are capable of similar forms of manipulation if it may benefit them to do