Human Instinct In Lord Of The Flies

“Maybe there is a beast… maybe it’s only us.” -Lord of the Flies, p. 68

Throughout human history, there is no clear winner between human instinct and civilization. Human instinct is most obvious when you have an immense amount of cruelty in your character. Civilization is the advanced stage and social development of the society which acts as a opposition to human instinct. In the psychological novel Lord of the Flies by William Golding, it is demonstrated that in the conflict for power between savagery and civilization there is no winner. This is verified through Ralph’s initiative to bring order and peace to the island, Jack’s actions against rational thoughts, and finally, the group’s decisions made while free from the rules of adult

This is first uncovered in chapter seven Ralph and Jack along with his hunters travel up a mountain they have never been to, to find and kill the beastie. While Ralph is with the hunters and Jack they found pig droppings and decide to hunt for the pig. The group quickly finds a large boar and Ralph who has never been on a hunt gets caught up with exhilaration while chasing for the boar. Ralph attacks the boar with his spear and it glances off the boar’s snout. In spite of the fact that Ralph did not kill the boar he is pridefully nonetheless, and further participates in the ritual that just about killed Robert as evident in “All at once, Robert was screaming and struggling with the strength of frenzy. Jack had him by the hair and was brandishing his knife. Behind him was Roger, fighting to get close. The chant rose ritually, as at the last moment of a dance or hunt. “_Kill the pig! Cut his throat! Kill the pig! Bash him in!_” Ralph too was fighting to get near,” -Lord of the Flies, p. 88 Ralph who represents civilization and order is unable to avoid the undeniable, innate drive towards savagery that every human has. Although Ralph turns back to the rational thought, it is clearly shown in the battle for power there is no clear winner between humanity and savagery. This is again shown in the first intentional murder of a member of the island. This cannot be completely understood without some prior knowledge. In chapter eight Simon who has some type of spiritual connection to the island, alone comes face to face with the pigs head that is impaled on a stick stuck to the ground. The pig’s head swarming with flies comes to life and speaks to Simon as the lord of the flies suggesting that he’ll never be able to escape him and that’ll he have some “fun” with him. Simon collapses. Although there are many differences this scene