Lord of the Flies

Are we born evil? For centuries, scholars around the world have been searching for the answer which seems to constantly lurk in the darkest corners of the human mind. There are all kinds of theories surrounding this philosophical topic, and various attempts have been made throughout the years to shed light on this fundamental interest in humanity.

“Lord of the Flies” is a book that explores different aspects of human nature, especially about its frailties and a strong tendency to side with evil. It all started with a plane crash on a desert island, where a group of schoolboys reveled in their new-found freedom and the absence of grown-ups, as they were the only survivors of the dreadful accident. They endeavored to reestablish a civil society of their own, one similar to the adult world. Soon though, as the boys’ fragile sense of order began to collapse, their fears started to take on an ominous, primitive significance. Suddenly, the world of cricket, homework and school seemed a long way away. There were more pressing matters at hand—survival, and the appearance of a horrifying beast who haunts their dreams.

In this fascinating novel, the author used a lot of metaphors and symbols to express his values. For instance, the conch shell that Ralph, the charming protagonist of the novel, blew on to assemble all the boys surviving the plane crash represents civilization and order; the beast, an imaginary monster conjured up by the terrified boys themselves, signifies the primitive instinct of savagery within all human beings. Another important symbol in the story, the Lord of the Flies, a sow head impaled on a stake by Jack, the egomaniacal and violent antagonist of the novel, symbolizes the evil and corruption that comes together with power.

Throughout the novel, these symbols have been repeatedly discussed, adding new layers of meaning to the story every time they are brought up. The story climaxed as Simon, the one boy in the story whose mindset and actions seemed to be based on a sheer, innate kindness, discovered the Lord of the Flies in the forest glade. It was impaled and placed there by Jack and his Hunters, as an offering to the beast. By the time Simon discovered it, it was already covered with flies and a reeking stench. It gradually dawned on Simon that the other boys were afraid of the beast because it actually exists within all human beings. We are afraid of the savagery and evil of our primitive instincts and the corruption that it is capable of bringing.

Personally, I don’t agree with the idea that we are born evil. I believe both good and evil are instilled in us later on by society. Babies strive to imitate those surrounding them from the moment they were born. They mimic not only their parents’ behaviors, but also inherit their values and perspectives as well, to some degree. We may be born with differing temperaments, but it is our family background, education and society that eventually help forge who we are. We first learn how to become civilized, well-integrated citizens in our families. As a result, family upbringing plays a crucial role in one’s life. I once saw a documentary on Discovery Channel about different types of serial killers. Despite murdering for different reasons, they shared one thing in common: a traumatic childhood. This indicates that having a blissful family life could have made all the difference in the world. They could have been given the opportunity to become decent human beings. Family is all that we have in the end, and it still stands true to this day.

Are we born evil? I don’t think so. But that doesn’t mean I’m denying the social values of our laws and regulations. We are all tiny rivets belonging to one gigantic machine, or stitches in one great piece of fabric. Society can only function harmoniously if we all fulfill our duties as law-abiding citizens. Regardless of our differences, we should all strive to contribute peacefully to our society by showing we care. We, humans, must collaborate as one instead of being torn apart by divisiveness. After all, we all belong in one big family.