Isabel Carter
Mr. Sgourdos
Humanities 9
11/26/2017

What thematic message about human nature is portrayed in Lord of the Flies?
How is evil portrayed in this novel?

“Human nature is evil, and goodness is caused by intentional activity,” states Xun Kuang, a Chinese Confucian philosopher. Although historians believe that there is so much good in human nature, William Golding’s Lord of the Flies illustrates human nature to be naturally evil through Jack’s actions, Simons encounter with the lord of the flies, and the primitive nature that controls the schoolboys when they are taken out of civilization.

The novel’s key character, Jack, exhibits the natural instinct of savagery, violence, and the desire for power. At the beginning of the allegory, Jack is introduced to us as the leader of his school’s choirboys. “The tall boy shouted at them. ‘Choir! Stand Still!’ Wearily obedient, the choir huddled into line and stood there swaying in the sun.” (Golding, 13) Already, Jack shows natural leadership and dominance over his choir group. He maintains his sense of moral behavior because of society’s influence. However, the longer Jack is taken out of society, the more savage and violent he becomes. During the night, Jack and his hunters attack Ralph and Piggy with the intention of stealing Piggy’s glasses; giving them the power to make and control fire. “He was a chief now in truth; and he made stabbing motions with his spear. From his left hand dangled Piggy’s broken glasses.”