Jobanpreet Chahal Mrs. Schonhoff English Honors 10 Period 6 4/10/2024 Human Nature Synthesis Essay Evil has been a perennial topic of discussion throughout human history, and its nature has been interpreted in various ways. While some argue that evil is an inherent aspect of human nature, others maintain that it is a result of external factors. Without the absence of a benevolent force such as a leader, humanity is doomed to turn into chaos. The events that take place shortly after the elimination of all adults in the Lord of the Flies show how humanity’s roots are stuck in wickedness. William Golding's novel, Lord of the Flies, portrays the inherent evil within humanity. The absence of rules and authority on the island leads to anarchy …show more content…
As time goes on throughout the island, the boys start to become increasingly barbaric. This is shown when the boys “pick up the pig” that they had just hunted and put its head on a stick as “a gift” for “the beast” (Golding 137). This scene represents the boys' increasing acceptance of violence and death as a normal part of their lives on the island. It is also significant because it shows that the boys are starting to lose their sense of humanity and are becoming more like the animals they are hunting. Moreover, the boys' actions with the pig's head also reflect their belief in the existence of the "beast," which represents their fear and primal instincts. By offering the pig's head to the beast, they are symbolically appeasing their own violent desires, and this gesture marks a turning point in the novel. This scene foreshadows the increasing violence and chaos that will follow as the boys continue to spend more time on the island. Although Golding's portrayal of the boys' descent into savagery is powerful and disturbing, it may not accurately reflect the complexity and diversity of human behavior. While the older boys would pick on the younger kids who had no way to defend