LOTF Final essay By Parker Fenton The dangers of groupthink and mob mentality are one theme of William Golding's novel "Lord of the Flies" This theme is visible in the way the boys on the island soon form into groups and become united in their decision making in the way they establish their opinions and ideas of the "beast" figure which represents the influence of fear and the drive for wanting to be saved. The way the boys on the island soon form into groups and join together in their decision making is one reason this theme is true in the book. The boys divide into two major groups as the story goes on. the hunters, led by Jack, and the "civilized" group led by Ralph. Each group strengthens its commitment to its core motives as they come to agree on actions and choices. In the end this mob mentality and groupthink result in hostility and violence between the two groups. Text evidence states "Which is better to be a pack of painted Indians like you are or to …show more content…
The boys grow more and more angry toward one another as well as less and less open to hearing other people's viewpoints or perspectives. This limited and unwillingness to take other perspectives worsens the island's conflict and bloodshed. Text evidence states "I'm not going to play any longer. Not with you." (Golding, 1954, Chapter 6) The "beast" character which stands for the strength of fear and the urge for conformity further supports the theme of the dangers of groupthink and mob mentality. The boys adapt to the group's views and behaviors even when they may not agree with them since they believe in the beast and are afraid of it. On the island this problem fuels more conflict and bloodshed. Text evidence states "We've got to have rules and stick to them. After all, we're not savages. We're English, and the English are best at everything." (Golding, 1954, Chapter