The development and use of power and authority are two of the basic concepts that indwell mankind. The two novels "Animal Farm" and "Lord of the Flies" both have main characters that uniquely manifest these attributes. Napoleon and Jack approach discipline in a dictorial manner by using intimidation, propaganda and fear while Snowball and Ralph apply a more democratic method when dealing with the animals. Napoleon and Snowball have different techniques and values on how leadership in life should be conducted. This is also true in "Lord of the Flies" in the conflict between Ralph and Jack.
Throughout the novel it is evident that the theme between Democracy and Dictatorship is always present. Animal Farm is a perfect example of this. In the novel, Snowball's method was very democratic and he believed that everyone should have a fair and equal chance to participate in dealing with concerns of the farm society. At the beginning of the novel they established a definite time when they would come together in a meeting which was similar to parliament. They would discuss things that had to be done on the farm. Before every meeting of counsel they would all sing "The Beasts of England", a tune which represented the freedom they have obtained when they forced Mr. Jones the human owner of the farm to flee. They established a new fundamental government called Animalism that the new ruling authority which had to be followed. These laws were extremely important to be enforced so that deviations would not occur. However, throughout the novel the following rules, were often modified to satisfy the pig's political view point.
Seven Commandments
1. Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy.
2. Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings is a ...
... middle of paper ...
...Essay&disableHighlighting=true&prodId=CIC&action=e&windowstate=normal&catId=&documentId=GALE%7CEJ2111200115&mode=view&userGroupName=ko_pl_portal&jsid=bba238f499d0cb7fd9e6b36548e0e153
Spitz, David. "Power and Authority: An Interpretation of Golding's 'Lord of the Flies'." The Antioch Review 30.1 (Spring 1970): 21-33. Rpt. in Contemporary Literary Criticism. Ed. Roger Matuz and Cathy Falk. Vol. 58. Detroit: Gale Research, 1990. Literature Resource Center. Web. 9 June 2011.
pl_portal&it=r&p=LitRC&sw=w>
William, S, and J.r Brockington. "Animal Farm." EBSCO Publishing Service Selection Page. Salem Press, n.d. Web. 9 June 2011. .
Nelson, William.William Golding's Lord of the Flies: A Source Book. New York: Odyssey Press, 1963. Print.
William Golding’s Lord of the Flies is a highly symbolic novel. From chapter to chapter,
William Golding’s timeless classic, Lord of the Flies, reflects Philip Zimbardo’s observations on the power of power through the transformation and development of the character Roger and his personality. The more power available to Roger, the more savage he becomes until it reaches a point where he can violently murder a peer and put his head on a stick for all to see and feel no remorse. Power can corrupt even the greatest of men and if a man can have power and not be corrupt, he has passed the ultimate test of character.
Golding establishes the power and potential of government and its vulnerability to outside affairs. In “Lord of the Flies,” each of the older boys strive for power and authority. Their views and beliefs are all dissimilar, resulting in each boys to possess different elucidation on how the island should function. These representations of government are apparent in Ralph, Jack, and Piggy, and prompt the social unrest and inability to compensate for their own needs. The way in which a leader governs determines the path that he/she sets upon his
"William Golding's Lord of the FLies: Man's Capacity for Evil." Teen Ink. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Apr. 2014.
One of the main themes in William Golding's 1954 novel Lord of the Flies is that without civilization, there is no law and order. The expression of Golding's unorthodox and complex views are embodied in the many varied characters in the novel. One of Golding's unorthodox views is that only one aspect of the modern world keeps people from reverting back to savagery and that is society. Golding shows the extreme situations of what could possibly happen in a society composed of people taken from a structured society then put into a structureless society in the blink of an eye. First there is a need for order until the people on the island realize that there are no rules to dictate their lives and take Daveers into their own hands. Golding is also a master of contrasting characterization. This can be seen in the conflicts between the characters of Jack, the savage; Simon, the savior; and Piggy, the one with all the ideas.
William Golding, in his fictional novel Lord of the Flies, has created one of the most stunningly elaborate, captivating works of American literature. It is a straightforward story of a few shipwrecked schoolboys that dramatically turns into a multifaceted tale of endless deceit, trickery and all out jealousy. It is in this story that three boys, Ralph, Piggy, and Jack, come to play the pivotal parts of leaders to a group of children who are fighting for the right of survival.
In today’s world, people have always strived to create a utopian society. In the novel ANIMAL FARM written by George Orwell, the animals strive to create their own utopian society based on equality and prosperity. Animalism was created to, as like the Ten Commandments, Animalism’s Seven Commandments were rules for the animals to live by. However, similar to God’s rules, Animalism was a difficult concept for all the animals to follow and live by. Secondly, the collapse of Animal Farm was due to the animal’s own intelligence and their ability to fully understand how the farm was being run. Finally, the failure of Animal Farm was due to in large part by the pigs power over the other animals and the greed and desires that the pigs wanted to achieve. Therefore, the collapse of Animal Farm had to do with Animalism itself, the animals, and the corruption of the pigs.
The novel “Lord of the Flies” was written by William Golding to demonstrate the problems of society and the sinful nature of man.
William Golding’s 1954 novel, Lord of the Flies, explores and analyzes human nature. The novel follows a group of boys stranded on an island without any adult supervision after a plane crash. In the beginning, the boys elect another boy, Ralph, as chief. Ralph is at odds with another boy named Jack, who leads the designated hunters among them. The boys gradually descend from civility to savagery. Jack is leading some boys into violent savagery, leaving Ralph trying to salvage the notion of a functioning civilization. By the end of the novel, Jack leads most of the boys in their savage nature and leaves Ralph in danger. Throughout the novel, Golding brings the themes of the abuse of power, the fear of the unknown, and the need for civilization to the surface.
"Review: Second look at William Golding's 'Lord of the Flies'." All Things Considered 29 Mar. 2004.Literature Resource Center. Web. 8 May 2014.
When viewing the atrocities of today's world on television, the starving children, the wars, the injustices, one cannot help but think that evil is rampant in this day and age. However, people in society must be aware that evil is not an external force embodied in a society but resides within each person. Man has both good qualities and faults. He must come to control these faults in order to be a good person. In the novel Lord of the Flies, William Golding deals with this same evil which exists in all of his characters. With his mastery of such literary tools as structure, syntax, diction and imagery, The author creates a cheerless, sardonic tone to convey his own views of the nature of man and man’s role within society.
George Orwell’s Animal Farm is a political satire of a totalitarian society ruled by a mighty dictatorship, in all probability a fable for the events surrounding the Russian Revolution of 1917. The animals of “Manor Farm” overthrow their human master after a long history of mistreatment. Led by the pigs, the farm animals continue to do their work, only with more pride, knowing that they are working for themselves, as opposed to working for humans. Little by little, the pigs become dominant, gaining more power and advantage over the other animals, so much so that they become as corrupt and power-hungry as their predecessors, the humans.
The corrupting influence of power on Animal Farm creates two very different characters, Snowball and Napoleon. Even though Snowball, who is the lively and friendly pig, and Napoleon who is the fierce, cruel boar, they have their similarities. They want to become the leaders of Animal Farm, they agree on the seven commandments and Animalism, and they are masters of convincing and persuasion. Although most characters are not perfectly similar or polar opposites, it is important to know that the end of Animal Farm may have been quite similar if it had ended with Snowball as the leader.
Although they are very closely related, power and authority are two different concepts. Power is needed in order to establish authority, yet it is also completely distinct from authority (Week 9 Study Notes).