Mankind's Essential Illness In Lord Of The Flies

The phrase "mankind's essential illness" is interpreted in various ways, but it typically refers to the idea that human nature is inherently sinful and corrupt. William Golding popularizes this concept in his novel "Lord of the Flies," where he portrays the inherently evil nature of humanity by making the character Jack. Jack is to blame for numerous disasters in the society that the boys build after being stranded on an island. For example, Jack rebels and creates his own civilization, abandons and hunts Jack, the leader of the other tribe, and acts manipulatively. He manipulates the boys with the "beast," a creature he and the other boys believe are on the island. In William Golding’s novel Lord of the Flies, Jack demonstrates how the defects

Firstly, the character of Piggy and Ralph are having a conversation about Jack's jealousy: Piggy says, "[Jack] hates [Ralph] because he is chief" (Golding 101), demonstrating that Jack's insecurity is the root of his resentment towards Ralph. This leads to a self-consciousness plagued society. Secondly, Jack becomes difficult to work with doing only what he wants. For example, Piggy and Ralph if Jack was leader; Piggy states that “[Jack] would have all hunting and no fire” and they will be “[there] til [they] die”(Golding 100) Piggy’s statement proves true-showing that Ralph's insecurity, leads to defects in society. Lastly, Jack masks his true self to feel a sense of dominance. For example, Jack puts on a mask and feels “safe from shame or self-consciousness behind the mask” (Golding 154) Jack's insecurity leads him to put on a mask figuratively and literally; when in the mask, “he was safe from shame or self-consciousness” this sense of security causes him to become more aggressive toward the other boys, proving that Jacks' need for dominance stemming from insecurity negativly effects society. Overall, Jack's insecurity lead to terrible outcomes damaging

Firstly, Jack awakens aggression in the other boys. For example, when Jack hunts and “[feels] that hunting [is] good after all” (Golding 125) He becomes influenced by Jack's violence showing how a non-violent character such as Jack, can have aggression awakened. Secondly, Jack’s violence leads Simons death. At a meeting with his tribe, Jack notices Simon and thinks he is the beast. Jack says, “Do our dance!” (Golding 167) initiating a hunting dance resulting Simons death. If Jack did not resort to violence, Simons would be alive, proving Jack's violence leads to defects in society. Lastly, Jack's betrayal of Ralph and leads to the island “shuddering in flames” (Golding 223) This proves that Jack's violence causes defects in society due to his destroying of the island. Ultimately, Jack's violence causes irreparable damage to civilization and even death, greaty damaging