How Does Golding Present The Evil In Lord Of The Flies

Lord of the Flies by William Golding, published in 1954 demonstrates man’s capacity for the evil which is also revealed in the human nature. The underlying evil within the man is the most noticeable theme of the novel, and probably its most debated one. William Golding represents the evil through his characters, their actions and how they are represented. The way that Golding develops the novel’s theme his symbolism in the narrative on man’s inhumanity towards man, he was able to portray the theme showing that the evil is an inborn trait of a human kind. The biggest representation of the evil becomes the island, because where the novel takes place. Along the way, the main characters striving to maintain a civilized order as well as their own

mortality, it becomes evident that most of the boys are capable of the evil due to their circumstances. Where the novel explores the evil within all humans through the “beast”, where the only chance for survival takes over.
Ralph, one of the main characters in the novel, becomes the leader of the group, tries his best to keep the group alive and tries his best to get rescued from the island. Ralph decides that rescue and order are of greatest importance and sets out to establish both. To do so, he called the island to a meeting. “’We’ll have rules!’ he cried excitedly. ‘Lots of rules!’”(33). Ralph takes his own understanding that remaining civil and organized will help them be rescued. And through their rules and standards, they manage to keep a signal fire going. A while after the boys’ society forms, Jack takes the people tending the fire to help him hunt, and the fire dies. “’There was a ship. Out there. You said you’d keep the fire going and you let it out!’”(70).
Ralph displayed the most important trait of a leader: giving punishment. Even though the boys successfully hunted and were happy, Ralph remained chained to their mistake and was shaming the boys for allowing the fire to be destroyed. Soon there were problems that they were running into, so Ralph called for an assembly to address the issues. “Someone called out. ‘Too many things.’ There came a mutter of agreement. Ralph overrode them. ‘And another thing’”(81). Ralph wanted the island to be a good, functioning society, but the other boys were tired of all the work and rules that were placed onto them.
Ultimately, Jack’s desire to hunt and rule drives him to steal the people of the island away from Ralph to gain power.

The first attempt that Jack makes at overthrowing Ralph is at one of the meetings. “’Hands up.’ Said Jack strongly, ‘Whoever wants Ralph to not be chief?’”(127). Jack’s desire to become the leader was first publicly shown with this attempt against Ralph leadership. His desire for Ralph to not be the leader of the group is since Ralph discourages Jacks cruelty and considers his hunting to be unimportant. Through his movement he successfully alters the loyalty of a few boys. “Far off along the beach, Jack was standing before a small group of boys. He was looking brilliantly happy” (133). Now, that Jack has his own follower, the shift of power begins. His excitement of finally becoming a leader, even though he has only a few followers, strengthened his will to overthrow Ralph and his means of doing it become less humane. “’Who’ll join my tribe?’ ‘I will.’ ‘Me.’ ‘I will’”(151). At last, Jack’s wish becomes reality and everyone but Samneric, Piggy, and Ralph are in his tribe. Through repetitive revolting, Jack was able to secure power on the island from

Ralph.
Now that most of the people on the island are on his side, Jack’s tyrannical rule begins.

“No one moved. Jack shouted angrily. ‘I said ‘grab them’!’”(178). As an aggressive leader, Jack shouts at his “followers” to do things that they obviously do not want to do. As a leader he is very mean and tortures. “’He’s going to beat Wilfred’”(159). Even with the entire island is in Jack’s command and rule, he finds the harsh was to express his power by tying a seemingly innocent boy and beating him to tears. “’Im Chief!’ Viciously, with full intention, he hurled his spear at Ralph’”(181). After gaining the power Jack completely transformed from an innocent hunter to the violent and mean “beast” that doesn’t take a human life into a consideration. That’s where Jack portrays the pinnacle of tyranny and evil in a

leader.
The leaders of the island Ralph and Jack, represent good and evil. Ralph demonstrates the good nature of humans while Jack depicts all the evil and cruelty in us. With law and focus, humanities can avoid losing control and remain civil. If laws do not keep their authority, savages will arise from the lack of structure and fear will ensue. The contrast in Lord of the Flies accentuates these two ideas and allows us to see who truly is “good” and “evil” based on their actions and feelings. Inherent good and evil and the qualifications of each is the topic that can be debated for centuries. We also can agree on one definition for both good and evil. But we may never agree if good and evil truly does exist.