Comparing Lord Of The Flies And Freedom Essay

Freedom. Something everybody always wants in one way or another. Freedom from authority, freedom from rules, or even just freedom from the pressure of tests. Everyone has an innate need for independence, especially during adolescence but even sometimes continuing into adulthood. One significant way that people get the freedom they want is through adventure. Both of these novels follow the adventures of a person or group of people, and demonstrate how the independence they gain changes them. Through their main characters, Mark Twain and William Golding develop the idea that every person has an underlying need for freedom and independence and show how once this becomes reality it is often not like they expected, and can change them as a person.

When the boys realize they are stranded on the island, they are caught up in the excitement of being independent and in control of their lives. They have no authority figures to prevent them from doing what they want to do, and this increases their excitement. Initially, they try to be civilized and decide “to have rules and obey them…(Golding 42)” much like they would in their everyday lives back at home. This demonstrates how humans are creatures of habit, especially when alone for the first time, because this is comforting to them. Although people crave independence because rules often feel restrictive, it is hard to leave those rules behind once freedom is gained. Unfortunately though, when young individuals gain freedom for the first time, as they are trying to develop order, rules begin to disappear and bad characteristics are exposed.
When they first crash on the island, “Ralph, Piggy, Simon, and many of the other boys show elements of good in their characters (“Lord of the Flies” 181).” They are all kind to each other and work together to survive. This shows that when freedom is earned for the first time, organization is possible. Since the idea of freedom overall is still so exciting, the boys have no need to fight with each other because they are happy with their lives. Freedom is still as idyllic as expected, and the harsh reality hasn’t set