Lord of the Flies
Humans are naturally savage, but their savageness is under constraint by society. This means that people change when civilization is no longer around to constrain their savageness. In Lord of the Flies, there is no civilization when the boys are stranded on a jungle island and Golding shows that this allows savage behavior to take over. The boys then become savages and everything becomes chaotic. The constraints of society do not allow for savage behavior, and the society created by the boys on the island eventually collapses because of their savagery. Golding shows the reader that when there is no civilization, basic human nature and instinct step in and takes over resulting in the humans’ naturally savage behavior.
One part of savage behavior is the hunger for power and dominance. In the novel, Jack is the symbol of hunger for power and dominance. Even though Ralph is in charge, Jack wants to be the one in charge. One example of Jack’s hunger for dominance and power is when he tries to assert dominance over Ralph at the first meeting. Ralph is explaining that there is no one on the island and Jack cuts in by saying, “All the same you need an army for hunting. Hunting pigs—“ (Golding, 32). In this scene, Jack immediately tries to take control, and that is the savage behavior coming out. Another scene depicting Jack trying to take control is when Samneric think they see the beast and a meeting is called. It seems like Jack is going to assume power when he says, “We don’t need the conch anymore. We know who ought to say things. What good did Simon do speaking, or Bill, or Walter? It’s time some people knew they’ve got to keep quiet and leave deciding things to the rest of us” (101-102). He is talking out of turn because he is not holding the conch and he is ignoring the rule. He is asserting dominance by trying to take control and decide how to deal with the beast. He says that, “This is a hunter’s job” (102). Ralph then tells him that it is not a hunter’s job
One part of savage behavior is the hunger for power and dominance. In the novel, Jack is the symbol of hunger for power and dominance. Even though Ralph is in charge, Jack wants to be the one in charge. One example of Jack’s hunger for dominance and power is when he tries to assert dominance over Ralph at the first meeting. Ralph is explaining that there is no one on the island and Jack cuts in by saying, “All the same you need an army for hunting. Hunting pigs—“ (Golding, 32). In this scene, Jack immediately tries to take control, and that is the savage behavior coming out. Another scene depicting Jack trying to take control is when Samneric think they see the beast and a meeting is called. It seems like Jack is going to assume power when he says, “We don’t need the conch anymore. We know who ought to say things. What good did Simon do speaking, or Bill, or Walter? It’s time some people knew they’ve got to keep quiet and leave deciding things to the rest of us” (101-102). He is talking out of turn because he is not holding the conch and he is ignoring the rule. He is asserting dominance by trying to take control and decide how to deal with the beast. He says that, “This is a hunter’s job” (102). Ralph then tells him that it is not a hunter’s job