Human Nature In Lord Of The Flies

Humanity is constantly challenged by the notion of what it means to be human and as a result becomes a common theme in modern literature. William Golding and Michael Grant are two authors who have made their own impressions on this notion. Golding and Grant explore the essence of human nature though characterisation, symbolism, and the setting in both similar and different ways. Golding created ‘Lord of the Flies’ to express his own opinions on the truth of human nature based on his personal experiences. Grant’s ‘GONE’ aims to explore multiple perspectives and creates strong intertextuality to achieve this.

Golding and Grant both characterise children to make generalisations on the human race through their innocence. Golding creates a tribe

Grant takes a different approach by making no character equal. Grant’s characters, after being assessed by Diana, are treated accordingly based on who powerful they are. The ones with the most power naturally rise to become leaders and those who challenge it are ‘[reminded] who’s boss’ (Page 228). Grant is making a statement that it is natural for humans to discriminate individuals based on an implemented hierarchal system, however, both authors make the connection to the election of a singular leader in a hierarchal system. Golding and Grant both characterise two leaders that contest the highest position on the hierarchy. Golding characterises Ralph and Jack, and Grant characterises Sam and Caine for the role. Both authors make an effort to contrast the two leading character as civilised against savage, however, they explore the contrast differently. Golding has Ralph represent a civilised human being, whereas, Jack the savage. Golding has the civilised leader become chief and control the society to then be overthrown by Jack as the new ‘proper chief’ (Page 196). This was done to show the tribe release its grip

Golding and Grant both use symbols to express the struggle with civilisation and savagery. Golding uses the conch shell and its law of mutual trust as a representation of the children’s grasp on civilisation, whereas, Grant takes a different approach by using concrete blocks and its cruelty. Golding makes a conch shell the symbol of group cohesion and the absolute law on the island that only one shall speak when ‘the conch [is] in [their] hand’ (Page 54). The order is centred on mutual trust that the law of the conch shell will be followed. Golding marks the point of no return when the children turn to savages through the destruction of the conch as it “ceased to exist” (Page 222) along with their civilised nature contrasts with Grant’s approach. Grant implemented an aspect of cruelty to maintain order via the symbol of concrete blocks. The concrete blocks ‘deal with freaks’ (Page 404) disallowing the use of unknown powers as they are a threat the order of civilisation that the children are attempting to uphold. This cruelty, however, is the path to savagery rather that the maintenance of civilisation. Grant is making the statement that humans in fear of loss naturally become savage. Golding, however, is of a different opinion that humans are savage without the existence of law and order. Golding and Grant create imagery of the hierarchal system through the use of symbolic positioning. The authors