Lord Of The Flies Peer Pressure Analysis

The Peer Pressure Factor of Lord of the Flies
William Golding’s Lord of the Flies paints two stark and opposing images of reality. On the one hand, the novel suggests that certain characters have venerable attitudes, making them seem like the protagonists, like Simon or Piggy. This can be seen from the motivating forces behind Simon’s decisions, or by the civilized behavior portrayed by Piggy. On the other hand, the novel also suggests that a deep built-in mechanism exists in every human being, one that prioritizes survival over morality. Just by observation, the novel demonstrates Jack’s exercise of hunting instincts, his combat of the social recourse from Ralph, his influence on everyone else to join him, and his eventual takeover of the

Logos formed only after the authority was established. Pathos was deeply engrained in everyone, wishing for help to come all along. An adult in uniform questioning others will usually end up being the cause for reevaluation of one’s motives, behaviors, and what they stand for. The very same predicament of morals versus survival which the boys struggle with is reflected at the ending. This struggle was not seen by Wendy L. Sunderman, but she recognized the ability from her own students that any group of people can reenact the same experiences Golding imagined. The very same people in the novel reflect society. In society, everyone seeks approval. Ralph seeks approval with the crowd of boys, Piggy seeks approval with Ralph, Simon seeks approval with his deeds, Jack seeks approval of his choir and of Ralph, Sam and Eric seek approval from Ralph. And all the boys seek the approval of Ralph, and then Jack. This seeking of approval is what drives the boys to initially work together, but ultimately fall apart. In society, many people seek either God, a celebrity, a genius, a parent, or others who will validate