Lord Of The Flies Heroism
The society of years past has demonstrated the characteristics which each man embodies. In the novel Lord of the Flies by William Golding, as well as in the article “The Banality of Heroism” by Zeno Franco and Philip Zimbardo, it is shown how, in a world where man can demonstrate cruel behavior, an underlying trait of good rests in each person. Although it can be argued that the natural behavior of man is generally evil, the good in man will always prevail. When the boys are stranded on an island in Lord of the Flies, both behaviors are evoked from all of the boys. However, evil recedes. Good is a trait that consists of morality and civilization. Leadership and heroism are associated with good. On the other hand, evil is a trait that consists
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According to Franco and Zimbardo, “The banality of heroism concept suggests that we are all potential heroes waiting for a moment in life to perform a heroic deed. The decision to act heroically is a choice that many of us will be called upon to make at some point in time.” This idea that all people have good inside of them and has the potential to be released can be paralleled to when the boys are stranded on the island. As they initially all behave good, the savagery within them is eventually revealed. Jack, who leads the group of savages, shows no signs of ever returning to a civilized behavior. However, in the end, when questioned by a naval officer, “A little boy [Jack] wore the remains of an extraordinary black cap on his red hair and who carried the remains of a pair of spectacles at his waist, started forward, then changed his mind and stood still” (Golding 201). The naval officer asked Ralph, Jack’s competition for authority, who the leader of the group is. At that moment, the good in Jack prevails, and he finally shows morality when he allows Ralph to claim himself leader. This morality is the natural behavior of man, and it will always triumph over
According to Franco and Zimbardo, “The banality of heroism concept suggests that we are all potential heroes waiting for a moment in life to perform a heroic deed. The decision to act heroically is a choice that many of us will be called upon to make at some point in time.” This idea that all people have good inside of them and has the potential to be released can be paralleled to when the boys are stranded on the island. As they initially all behave good, the savagery within them is eventually revealed. Jack, who leads the group of savages, shows no signs of ever returning to a civilized behavior. However, in the end, when questioned by a naval officer, “A little boy [Jack] wore the remains of an extraordinary black cap on his red hair and who carried the remains of a pair of spectacles at his waist, started forward, then changed his mind and stood still” (Golding 201). The naval officer asked Ralph, Jack’s competition for authority, who the leader of the group is. At that moment, the good in Jack prevails, and he finally shows morality when he allows Ralph to claim himself leader. This morality is the natural behavior of man, and it will always triumph over