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Innocence In Lord Of The Flies

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When you think of innocents, do you imagine children? Many people do and according to the philosophical theory of Tabula Rasa, children are born innocent, pure, and with an empty mind. This means that one's mental contents comes only from experiences and the influences of society; which is how a child’s innocents dies. From the minute they are born, they are learning and encountering the debased society which humankind has created. So while it may be true that a child is innocent for a short time, they are all too soon defiled. However, sometimes innocence prevails. In the novel, Lord of the Flies, written by William Golding, a group of schoolboys crash land onto a deserted island. Without adults, or ordinance, the boys’ democracy soon fails …show more content…

Simon’s purity is displayed many times through his actions, as well as through symbolism in the novel. One of Simon’s simplest, yet most conspicuous acts was helping the littluns when everyone else was past caring. “Then, amid the roar of bees in the afternoon sunlight, Simon found the fruit they could not reach, pulled off the choicest from the foliage, and passed them back down to the endless, outstretched hands” (Golding 138). Simon was the only one who ever bothered helping the littluns, as he was completely ignorant towards the contest for authority happening covertly behind …show more content…

He’s a terror.’
‘And the chief- they’re both-’
‘-terrors-’” (Golding 189).
Although Sam and Eric may not have wanted to, they were pressed into joining Jack’s tribe, and ultimately take part in the hunt for Ralph, even giving up his hiding spot. They give into the evil. This is important because it confirms the beliefs of Tabula Rasa, that people get their beliefs, and make their decisions based on the influences and pressures of society. If Sam and Eric had not been pressured, they would not have joined Jack’s tribe. One can figure that many others would have done the same, not giving Jack the the power needed to create such terror and chaos.
How does the theory of Tabula Rasa in the Lord of the flies connect to today’s world? Everyone can relate to the desire to be good and pure, and do the right thing; whatever they may
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