What Is The Theme Of Human Nature In Lord Of The Flies

Exploring Human Nature in ‘Lord of the Flies’
“... The number of abortions performed annually in the U.S. [is about] 1.06 million a year” (National Right to Life News). This means that in just a single decade, 10.6 million children are murdered in the United States before they are ever born. This sickening loss of life is just the latest link in an unbroken chain of human depravity stretching back to the Garden of Eden. Humans are fundamentally wicked. William Golding, author of the bestselling novel ‘Lord of the Flies’, understood this basic principle. Thus, he wove it in as a theme in his book. In ‘Lord of the Flies’, William Golding discusses the nature of man in order to reveal that human nature is essentially evil by using indirect characterization

Using indirect characterization, Mr. Golding says in ‘Lord of the Flies’, “[Henry] became absorbed beyond mere happiness as he felt himself exercising control over living things. He talked to them, urging them, ordering them. Driven back by the tide, his footprints became bays in which they were trapped and gave him the illusion of mastery” (Golding 61). In this scene Henry, a young child, starts manipulating small creatures weaker than himself. He traps them, manipulates the ways they go, and exerts complete control over them. While this seems harmless, it is a small version of what actually goes on in Earth. Humans, instead of serving and helping one another, all strive to become stronger and to control their brethren. This is seen in Henry, a small child, who immediately begins trying to manipulate the creatures weaker than himself. Mrs Kathryn Olmstead, assistant professor of history at the University of California, Davis, says

Mr. Golding understood this simple fact of innate evil, and showed it in his novel. In ‘Lord of the Flies’, Mr. Golding says, “‘Fancy thinking the Beast was something you could hunt and kill… 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 what they are?’” (Golding 143). This scene is one of the most powerful in the book. The one speaking is the Lord of the Flies, the personification of pure evil. He then states a frightening fact: he is a part of all humans. This is the clincher of the novel. Evil is stated to be part of humanity, and is living alive and well. Evil is and exists in the core of humanity. This fact was shown quite sadly by Chrisitanity Today. They