Darwinian Hero: Lord Of The Flies
Erika Witt
English 201
Mrs. Palmiotto
11 April 2016
Lord of the Flies Paper Assignment What is the criteria for one to be characterized as a hero? William Golding’s introduces this question through the characters of his novel Lord of the Flies. Jack Merridew’s adaptable instincts prove him to be the darwinian hero by leading the boys to survival. It is clear after reading Lord of the Flies, Jack is the darwinian hero due to his instincts. Such as when he uses his power to bring the hunters together allowing them to act as one in order to survive. One may see Jack’s use of power as malicious, although it is obvious his intentions are purely to give the group their best chance of survival while in the wilderness. Jack’s instincts to adapt …show more content…
It is often thought that defying the person in power is malevolent. However, one argues that in order to survive one must leave behind those that are unwilling to adapt as the circumstances change. Jack is considered the darwinian hero, thus those who adapt like him “are simply the ones who have the combination of traits that allow them to survive”. Ralph on the other hand, is reluctant to adapt when necessary causing him to gain none of the traits needed to survive. Due to his inability to change Ralph becomes an encumbrance, hence Jack decides he’s ‘not going to be apart of Ralph’s lot” in which he forms a new group under the full leadership of himself (Golding 127). This proves Jack to be the darwinian hero by getting rid of those that obscure the rest from adapting. Getting rid of the problem, enables the rest to fully change into humans who are able to survive in the environment provided by the island. It is further corroborated that Jack’s darwinism is ideal when both Bill and Roger leave under Ralph’s leadership to go join the newly formed group by Jack. Piggy saw “them stealing off when [he] was gathering wood” making it clear that they no longer agree with the method of preparing for the future in order to remain alive (Golding 131). By joining Jack’s group they solidify their belief of living in the moment to best survive rather than preparing for future conflicts and possible rescue. With the mass of the population agreeing to join Jack’s side, it validates Jack being the darwinian hero. Jack’s instincts to separate from the other group, is therefore heroic because it provided the means for the rest of the boys to adapt into a
English 201
Mrs. Palmiotto
11 April 2016
Lord of the Flies Paper Assignment What is the criteria for one to be characterized as a hero? William Golding’s introduces this question through the characters of his novel Lord of the Flies. Jack Merridew’s adaptable instincts prove him to be the darwinian hero by leading the boys to survival. It is clear after reading Lord of the Flies, Jack is the darwinian hero due to his instincts. Such as when he uses his power to bring the hunters together allowing them to act as one in order to survive. One may see Jack’s use of power as malicious, although it is obvious his intentions are purely to give the group their best chance of survival while in the wilderness. Jack’s instincts to adapt …show more content…
It is often thought that defying the person in power is malevolent. However, one argues that in order to survive one must leave behind those that are unwilling to adapt as the circumstances change. Jack is considered the darwinian hero, thus those who adapt like him “are simply the ones who have the combination of traits that allow them to survive”. Ralph on the other hand, is reluctant to adapt when necessary causing him to gain none of the traits needed to survive. Due to his inability to change Ralph becomes an encumbrance, hence Jack decides he’s ‘not going to be apart of Ralph’s lot” in which he forms a new group under the full leadership of himself (Golding 127). This proves Jack to be the darwinian hero by getting rid of those that obscure the rest from adapting. Getting rid of the problem, enables the rest to fully change into humans who are able to survive in the environment provided by the island. It is further corroborated that Jack’s darwinism is ideal when both Bill and Roger leave under Ralph’s leadership to go join the newly formed group by Jack. Piggy saw “them stealing off when [he] was gathering wood” making it clear that they no longer agree with the method of preparing for the future in order to remain alive (Golding 131). By joining Jack’s group they solidify their belief of living in the moment to best survive rather than preparing for future conflicts and possible rescue. With the mass of the population agreeing to join Jack’s side, it validates Jack being the darwinian hero. Jack’s instincts to separate from the other group, is therefore heroic because it provided the means for the rest of the boys to adapt into a