Human Nature In Lord Of The Flies

The Evils of Human Nature Since the time that Aristotle first introduced ideas about human nature, philosophers have debated on if it is good or evil. Some would claim that it is good. The example of Mother Teresa and how she helped the poor and the hungry. She is a perfect way to illustrate how human nature is good. Others would argue that it is evil with the examples of Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini. The death caused by these two men and the horrific atrocities lead by them shows that completely evil side of humans. William Golding, who fought in WW2, conveys his thoughts about human nature through his book. In the novel Lord of the Flies, Golding portrays human nature as evil, which is an accurate representation under certain social

Towards the end of the book, Piggy and Ralph go to talk to Jack and the others of the tribe. While this happens,” high overhead, Roger, with a sense of delirious abandonment, leaned all his weight on the lever” (Golding 180). The result from pulling the lever is the destruction of the conch and the death of Piggy. Roger knew full well were the boulder would roll and that it would kill someone who was standing in the way. The meaning of delirious abandonment is without thinking. Roger had not thought about Piggy’s life when he decided to pull the lever. On the stressful environment of the island, Roger acts in a less humane way and kills without thought, illustrating how human nature is evil. Golding’s stance on human nature is an accurate reflection. Earlier on the island, Roger was throwing rocks and Henry. “Roger’s arm was conditioned by a civilization that knew nothing of him and was in ruins” (Golding 62). While throwing the rocks, Roger always had a space around Henry that he did not throw and always made sure to not hit him. The main reason that he did this was of how he was raised in civilization. If he did not have the guidance of civilization, he would have thrown the rocks to hit Henry, showing how he does not care that he is causing pain to another person. This is another accurate reflection on how human nature is naturally

George Orwell presents human nature as evil by the actions taken by Napoleon to keep power and how he treats others while he is in power. While Napoleon was coming to power, he used the dogs to keep the animals in fear of him. When he finds traitors, he forces then to say what they had done and,” when they had finished their confessions, the dogs promptly tore their throats out…” (Orwell 55). Once Napoleon has total power on the farm, he keeps power by demonstrating how easily he can take the life of other animals. He shows no mercy for the animals that he kills even though he knows that they are innocent. This evil part of his nature come with the lust for control over others, leading to evil actions and thought to keep him with control. Later in the story, Boxer in injured while working and after some time does not get better. He was not being productive and one day Benjamin says,” They are taking Boxer to the knacker’s!” (Orwell 79). Boxer had been the best worker on the farm and got the most done. Once he had become useless in Napoleons eyes, he was no longer needed and a waste of resources. Napoleon’s first thought is to get rid of him and he has no regard for Boxer’s life. He only sees Boxer as a work force and nothing as a person. This evil side of human nature illustrates how in power, one cares more about themselves and will use others to make their lives easier, even if that