Morality And Society In William Goldings Lord Of The Flies

â€Å"Morality and society are learned rather than innate.† William Golding’s premise, derived from his most popular novel, Lord of the Flies, is dramatically true, as displayed throughout the intense and realistic plot. What is innate, however, is the instinct for savagery. Golding builds a seemingly perfect microcosm, where several young boys are stranded on a deserted island, alone and without supplies. At the beginning of the book, we encounter the generalization seemingly introducing the book’s message, that there is an instinct of civilization in all humans. But this statement is then contradicted by the suggestion made later in the book that morality and society are not intuitive. This opens up a significant inconsistency in the text: is†¦show more content†¦For example, in our society today, crime rates are relatively low compared to other countries. This is largely due to the fact that there are established consequences for certain behaviors. In the boys’ society in Lord of the Flies, they failed to institute boundaries and consequences to be carried out when those boundaries are crossed. Because the insurgents have nothing to lose by disobeying the rules, they gain strength and numbers. Eventually, a more pronounced protagonist and an antagonist emerge, and create. Several critics seem to assume that Lord of the Flies endorses the values of discipline and rationality represented by the protagonist Ralph, and his accomplice, Piggy over those of play and emotion represented by the antagonist, Jack. (Oldsey) I agree, but with the following caveat: that the book ultimately sees both values as equally important and even suggests that ideally they should complement one another. Without the influence of Jack and his violent and tribal approach, the story would have no point. In order to create conflict, there has to be an opposing force, and we see an example of this throughout the progression of the novel: the original o rder and democracy seems considerably better when it is complemented by the savage development that increases. Approaching the end of the novel, we see an extensive reversal from civilization to complete savagery. â€Å"‘They hate you, Ralph. They’re going to doShow MoreRelatedEssay on How Lord of the Flies Related to Aspects of Human Nature1397 Words   |  6 PagesWilliam Goldings novel Lord of the Flies not only provides a profound insight into human nature but also does so in a way that is remarkable for its use of shock and horror. Golding presents aspects of human nature as themes in the book. It alerts us to our potential to descend from order to chaos, good to evil, civilization to savagery. 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