The expression “nature vs. nurture” describes the question of how a person's characteristics are formed. Nurture shapes individuals personalities, although nature is who we truly are. Nature is shown when humans feel threatened or scared. Fear drives humans to lengths they usually would not go to, all because of a natural instinct to survive. From “The Biology of fear and anxiety related behaviors'', “Fear results in the expression of a range of defensive behaviors which are aimed at escaping from the source of danger or conflict.” (Stiemer T.). Most people would not harm others normally; however, fear takes over as well as the automatic response that humans carry. In The Lord of the Flies, the boys on the island fear a “beastie” that roams …show more content…
It wasn’t what you said.’” (Golding 155). One night, the boys were feasting at night during the rain, they saw Simon, one of the boys on the island, mistook Simon for the beast out of horror. This quote from Lord of the Flies shows how even children have the instinct to become defensive to save themselves. The majority of the kids were raised to be smart and polite, they would not have killed Simon if they did not act with natural instincts. Furthermore, in the case of life or death, humans would most likely always choose life. Humans have the reaction to flight or fight when they are threatened. Taken from the Daily Life, “Now we still have this survival instinct.The trick to fight or flight is that it is triggered by any perceived threat.” (Kelly Mcsweeny). Chapter 12 of Lord of the Flies, Ralph is being hunted down by the other boys, “savages”, who are wanting to kill him. “Ralph screamed, a scream of fright and anger and desperation.He swung the stake and the savage tumbled over;.” (Golding 199). At first, Ralph ran from them and decided to hide from the savages. After being cornered, he was stuck, he had to make a choice whether to run or fight. Running would lead him to getting injured or killed, he chose to be selfish so he could