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Human Nature In Lord Of The Flies

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Centuries of the world’s most intellectual people having debated whether it is human nature to be good or evil. The distressing truth of man is that all are born evil. What this means is that humans are innately selfish, bigoted, and barbaric. Man finds excitement and pleasure in the misfortune of others only thinking of their own well being. This idea is seen throughout history from slavery to genocide. Additionally, the barbaric state of man is well represented in such texts as Lord of The Flies. Furthermore, these themes are not just a characteristic of the past. Humankind is not any more civilized than it has ever been. The blood lust has simply been suppressed by the strong influence of society. Although hidden, this desire still manifests …show more content…

Also, many times it is not just one of the ideas but them all working together. Firstly, the most infamous example is the Holocaust in Germany. Here, Adolf Hitler is seen; a man who has a strong prejudice of people who are different in religion, race, sexuality, and more. In addition, he is ethnocentric in the sense that he believes in the “perfect” race of white german non-jews. This event that started with one man’s intolerance as well as blood lust, would eventually see millions killed. Their deaths were inhumane as well. People were tortured and malnourished beyond belief. Families were forced to watch their loved ones be killed in front of their eyes. During this time, people were not thought of as people, but rather the vermin standing in one’s own …show more content…

People find out when they are young that harming others is bad, but why then do these kids grow up loving the thrill of a headshot or a decapitation? Video games seem to bring out the blood lust that society had aimed to due away with. Instead of being repulsed by the merciless killing of someone, gamers are praised for their skills. Furthermore, these horrific scenes are “not portrayed as morally wrong, they are portrayed as something utterly badass; an action that is exciting and desirable” (Rakhmanin TUT). This desire suggest the fact that humans are born with guilty pleasure of wanting to kill. Another important aspect of society that has always been present is war. Scientists argue that at least 95% of all cultures show evidence of militarism and more often than not, groups that are perceived to be peaceful are “no less bestial” than any other group (Angier I.W.O.B.D.) Furthermore, war even predates humans. Apes which share about 98% of their genetics with humans waged war with one another as well. This helps support the idea that from man’s beginning they are evil because it is genetic. As apes did, humans in their most basic state or state of nature will revert to a survival of the fittest state of mind. In this state, humans will do anything to survive regardless of any moral

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Analysis on “The Most Dangerous Game” The universal nature of humans proves to be that all human beings are born evil. The desire of humans to be above another being is a common instinct that causes them to do evil. Many depictions of malicious events caused by these instincts can be observed throughout history. In the Holocaust, German Nazis killed a countless number of Jews, claiming that the Jews are lowly beings that don’t deserve to exist.

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“Maybe, … maybe there is a beast…. Maybe it’s only us.” (Golding 68). Every human is born with an innate capacity for evil, although humans are also born with the capacity for good. In Lord of the Flies, Golding chooses to depict a story of evil, implying that humans by nature are also evil at their core.

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Throughout the ages society has struggled to maintain a harmonious existence. Humanity, at times, has spiralled out of control, transcended the realms of depravity and descended into the depths of savagery without boundary. The segregation of African Americans by their white counter parts and the persecution of Jews in Nazi Germany with Adolf Hitler at the helm are prime examples of just how ruthless civilisation can be. Mankind, priding itself on intelligence and morality, is constantly battling the inner struggle of good vs evil, and regrettably sails down the dark, depressing tunnel of the abhorrent, the inhumane and the unjustifiable. Power struggles, hostilities over territory and avarice have contributed to the fall of many civilisations, dating back to ancient times.

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Humans are complex creatures. Understanding human nature is difficult, but the novel Lord of the Flies by William Golding helps to show what true human nature looks like. Humans are inherently evil, but that evil is hidden by societal dictates. Throughout the novel, the human societal mask is stripped away and true human nature can be seen. Society enforces rules and trends that people feel they must follow.

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