Thematic Study of Human Nature in “Lord of the Flies”

Excerpts from the Paper

Thematic Study of Human Nature in "Lord of the Flies"
An allegorical novel, Lord of the Flies, is a great literary work that portrays human nature at its primal state. Written by William Golding and first published in 1954, the novel depicts a group of young English boys stranded on an island and left to battle their inner demons. Influenced by the recent experiences of World War II, the author explores the darkest side of human nature that surfaces as the structure of society is undermined. By creating a sort of human laboratory or
état
de nature as Rousseau may have called it, Golding examines what happens when the constraints of civilization disappear and raw human nature reigns. The author argues that if not suppressed by societal...

..... tale of little British boys stranded on an island. The author exalts society as a remedy to the evil savagery in the depths of every man’s heart. Nonetheless, the reader can sense the bitter-sweet flavor of his praise of society in the arrival of a naval warship led by a British officer convinced in the superiority of the British. Although the little boys may have been finally delivered from their savage warfare by the civilized adults, they must now return to the worldwide warfare of the “civilized world”.
Works Cited
“Looking anew at Lord of the Flies.” By Alan
Cheuse
. NPR, Chicago. March 29, 2004.
“Lord of the Flies.” Directed by Peter Brook. Author: William Golding. 1963.
“Lord of the Flies.” Life magazine. New York: October 25, 1963.