Lord Of The Flies Savagery Analysis

The Omnipresence of Savagery

Steven Wright, a writer, comedian, and actor, once said that “Someone asked me, if I were stranded on a desert island what book would I bring... 'How to Build a Boat’”. Unfortunately, not everyone is as rational or intelligent as Wright, and suffer as a result. In the allegorical fiction novel Lord of the Flies, William Golding depicts the gradual transition from civility to savagery of a group of British boys who have been stranded on an island. Through his portrayal of Jack and his hunters, Golding demonstrates and also improves on the philosopher Thomas Hobbes’ view that people are corrupt and are always trying to gain power, and without a proper form of government, society would fall into chaos.

Thomas Hobbes

was an important English philosopher during the Enlightenment. He lived during a period of civil war, so there was plenty of unrest and turmoil. He disliked the fact that even people that were once together were fighting for power over each other. These events greatly influenced his thinking, causing him to believe that humans are born evil, greedy, and selfish. In a state of nature, he believed that people will be in a perpetual power struggle, always trying to gain opportunities to seize control. This existence of extreme competition drives people to destroy others to obtain what they need. In order to maintain peace and order, an absolute monarchy must be established, with the people submitting to an authoritarian leader in order to maintain peace.
Golding uses the change in Jack, the main antagonist, to show that humans are all evil and can destroy order in society, supporting Hobbes’ idea of human nature.

In the beginning, when all the boys first realize that they are stranded on an island with no adult supervision, they decide to elect a ruler, but there is a small disagreement started by Jack that is, luckily for the boys, quickly resolved. Although the boys have only been away from society for a short period of time, a small power struggle is developing, which proves Hobbes’ belief that in a state of nature, everyone always wants more power than anyone else. When he and Ralph are discussing their priorities, Jack does not care to listen and an “opaque, mad look came into his eyes again” (53). This mad look exposes the true savage side in all humans that society has taught to suppress. However, as even more time passes by with no adult supervision, this part in Jack finally becomes

uncovered.
The potential of the barbaric side of people that can destroy society is exemplified when Jack is finally able to kill another person, showing that the savage side of him is now almost fully exposed.

After being on the island for a long time, the Jack’s barbaric nature overcame his morality, which is exactly what Hobbes predicted would happen if there was no government. When Ralph dared to set foot in his camp, Jack was “vicious, [and] with full intention, he hurled his spear at Ralph” (181). Jack knew exactly what he was doing when he threw his spear at Ralph, never stopping think that Ralph was only trying to help. Hobbes explains that people always attempt to overthrow those with power through brute force or trickery. In this case, Jack hopes that, by killing the only other potential leader on the island, he can establish himself as the one with most power. By proving that people become increasingly hungry for power, Golding proves that as time passes without a proper government, society deteriorates at a faster

rate.
Despite all the supporting details in Lord of the Flies that agree with Hobbes’ ideas, Golding has some differences in his views about human nature. While Hobbes believes in the absolute, that all human beings are born naturally evil, Golding disagrees. One of Jack’s hunters, Simon, seems to be opposite of Jack. He is kind, helpful, and selfless, only believing in the best of others, which is completely different from his companions and is one of few exceptions to Hobbes’ idea of a human being. For example, when, “amid the roar of beas in the afternoon sunlight, Simon found for them [the children] the fruit they could not reach” (56). Instead of keeping it all for himself like Hobbes would suggest, he decides to benefit others by sharing. Also, Golding’s ideal government, a direct democracy, differs from Hobbes’ ideal government, an absolute monarchy. The first government organized on the island was more of a democracy because everyone could express their own opinion, and this is how Ralph was elected. They were peaceful for most of the time until Jack became rebellious. He attempts to defy Ralph’s power, which is represented by a conch, by saying “we don’t need the conch anymore” (101-102). His reluctance to be ruled, not the government itself, was the reason why they failed to stay together. After Jack decided to disband, he creates an absolute monarchy, and has unlimited power over his subjects, which indirectly leads to the death Piggy and Simon, showing how Hobbes’ idea of an absolute monarchy is not the solution.
Throughout the fictional novel Lord of the Flies, Golding supports and qualifies Hobbes’ view on human nature and government through the change and influence of Jack and his hunters. Although Golding and Hobbes disagree on some points, by confirming that in order to have a functional society, a strong government must be established, both have greatly influenced modern society today.