Lord Of The Flies Beast Analysis

The subject of human nature is a prominent theme in Golding’s novel, Lord of the Flies. The novel suggests, through the actions of the characters, that the capability for evil is an inherent part of the individual but whether one gives in is ultimately a product of the choices one makes. The Lord of the Flies, as a manifestation of the Beast is representative for this capability for evil. Roger and Ralph serve as opposing characters, one with a willingness to commit evil and another who resists.

The capability for evil is inherent in humans and this is represented in the novel by the Beast. A product of the boys’ imaginations, the Beast is a monster that the boys believe exists on the island and are frightened of. It is symbolic of the dormant

evil and savagery that resides within all humans. Simon makes this realisation when he experiences a hallucination in which the sow’s head becomes a manifestation of the Beast, the Lord of the Flies. It speaks to him, saying “And I’m the Beast . . . You knew, didn’t you? I’m part of you? Close, close, close! I’m the reason why it’s no go? Why things are the way they are?” The informal slang language used by the Lord of Flies is an imitation and mockery of the slang used by boys on the island, reflecting the idea that the Beast is a part of all of them. The Lord of the Flies also speaks to Simon with a taunting and mocking tone, evident in “You knew, didn’t you? . . . Close, close, close!” which reinforces the view that it is a demonic creature in nature. Golding uses the Beast and by association, the Lord of the Flies as a metaphor to convey that evil and savage instincts are inherent in human nature.
Roger is shown in the novel to be sadistic and cruel by choice and is an example of an individual who succumbs to the evil that is innate in humans. Through the quote “Yet there was a space round Henry . . . into which he dare not throw. Here, invisible yet strong, was the taboo of the old life . . . the protection of parents and school and policemen and the law,” it is evident that Roger’s malevolent and violent tendencies are only restricted by societal order and what society dictates to be right and wrong. Whereas, on the island where semblance of society disintegrates and the boys follow under the irresponsible and violent authority of Jack, there is nothing to hold Roger back and thus, he relishes in acts of a cruel and sadistic nature, ultimately resulting in the death of Piggy by his hands. In the confrontation before Piggy’s death, Roger is shown to be in a state of mind where he isolates himself from and dehumanizes the others. The blunt description, “Ralph was a shock of hair and Piggy a bag of fat” makes it clear that he does not see the two as human. Through the quote, “Roger took up a small stone and flung it . . . Some source of power began to pulse in Roger’s body” it is clear that Roger also gets a sense of thrill and enjoyment from the idea of hurting others, a result of his sadistic nature. He throws stones, aiming to miss, similar to earlier in the book, but this time with the new knowledge that there was nothing to stop him and there would be no punishment for doing so. This is also supported by Roger leaning on the lever which releases the rock that kills Piggy “with a sense of delirious abandonment”. Shown by the above, Roger is sadistic and cruel character who willingly embraces the evil aspects of human nature.
Although the capability for evil may be inherent in humans, there is the choice to resist such instincts and Ralph is an individual who strives to do so.

It is shown from the beginning of the novel that Ralph wants to do what is ‘right’. Through the constant use of ‘ought to’s in phrases such as “we ought to have a meeting”, “we ought to have a chief” and “we ought to draw a map”, Golding makes it evident that Ralph think that the boys should do something because it is the right thing to do. However, it is clear that he still has savage instincts that reside within him, demonstrated by his participation in the tribal dances. During the mock-pig hunt, Ralph, caught up in the frenzy created by the other boys, “was fighting to get near, to get a handful of that brown vulnerable flesh. The desire to squeeze and hurt was over-mastering.” Through that quote, it is evident that Ralph temporarily gave in to his savage urges to harm others. He also partakes in the tribal dance which results in Simon’s death, once again overcome by savagery shown by the quote, “Piggy and Ralph . . . found themselves eager to take a place in this demented but partly secure society.” However, in the aftermath, he feels remorse and horror at the boys’ actions upon coming to his senses, saying “That was Simon . . . That was murder.” The use of truncated sentences in comparison to Piggy’s longer ones helps to convey how Ralph is shaken by the actions of the night before. Furthermore, through the quote “I

was – I don’t know what I was . . . I’m frightened. Of us,” it is clear that Ralph is now aware that within each of the boys lies the capability for savagery and is frightened of the prospect. Ralph, despite also have inherent savage tendencies, resists because he wants to do what is right and thus, proves that it is the choices made by an individual that result in whether they are good or bad.
Golding’s novel conveys to the reader that the potential for evil is innate in humanity but it is ultimately the actions of an individual that determine the result and this is conveyed through the characters of the novel.