Evil in Human Nature in Lord of the Flies by William Golding Essay Example

“I have experienced real horror. I have known true evil. Its name is human nature”. This quote by James Newman clearly illustrates how humans are naturally inherently evil, expressing that no matter how hard we try to be good, kind, pure, and genuine, there is always hidden evil in each of us that we can show at any given moment. In William Golding's novel, “Lord of the Flies”, the intelligent, charismatic, civilized protagonist, Ralph, is trapped on an island with several other boys, named Jack, Simon, Piggy, Roger, Sam, and Eric. The book is displaying their journey together on the island as they are attempting to survive, slowly beginning to lose their once innocent, civilized selves. Therefore, resulting in evil, wicked behavioural acts, breaking the group apart. Ultimately, William Golding’s, “Lord of the Flies'' demonstrates humans inherent evil nature when they are willing to do anything, no matter the cost to stay powerful, it shows how humans initial thoughts and behaviours worsen when in a life-threatening environment, and that eventually, after spending a certain amount of time away from a properly developed civilized society, humans are naturally drawn to the act of taking an innocent life.

To begin, humans are willing to cross dangerous lines to maintain their authority. After Jack has made the decision to leave Ralph's group, in which he was growing unspokenly close friendships, he is very emotional, as he is angry, sad, and disappointed, as he truly doesn’t want to leave, as Ralph is yelling in hopes he would return, “‘Jack!’ Jack turned and looked back at Ralph. For a moment he paused and then cried out, high-pitched, enraged. ‘—No!’” (Golding 183), and even though he is hesitant to leave, he was feeling happy with this decision, ecstatic, as he is beginning to gain a few followers, and is eventually able to build a new, and to his standards, new and improved society for him and the boys to live in. However, the job isn’t as easy as he anticipated, as he is constantly being buried under the paranoia that he will lose the trust of his newfound group. This is leading him to lunatic-like, savage, evil behaviours, as he begins to manipulate his group, as he states “‘I gave you food,’ said Jack, ‘and my hunters will protect you from the beast…’” (Golding 215), implicitly claiming that they won't survive without his resources, and shows how he will go to such lengths to ensure that his group is desperate enough to stay in order to show a sense of loyalty, in addition to him hurting his own kind on Castle Rock, as Sam and Eric said, “He’s going to beat Wilfred.” (Golding 229), “I don’t know. He didn’t say. He got angry and made us tie Wilfred up. He’s been”—he giggled excitedly—“he’s been tied for hours, waiting—” (Golding 229). And once again, consequently proving how he will take such exhaustive measures due to his paranoia and unspoken insecurities regarding his own leadership skills to the likes of which he begins to take it out on his own group. And, as a result, proving that humans will do anything, no matter the price in order to keep their authoritative power.

Moving on, human's initial thoughts and behaviours will naturally worsen over a certain period of time while in a dangerous, fearful, life-threatening environment. After the plane crashes on the island, leaving Ralph chief of the boys stranded with him, he and Jack are disputing over what will be their top priority in order to survive, as Ralph believes that it’s building a fire and shelter, while Jack thinks that it is hunting. Ralph doesn’t understand nor agree with Jack’s obsession with hunting or his lust for blood, due to him trying to keep the little society that he is building for the boys and himself more civilized and keep them from savagery, as he doesn’t want it to become an addiction or an urge that will derail them from their other responsibilities towards Ralph, benefiting all of the boys on the island, and not just fulfilling their own undying need to hunt, as he states, “You could have had everyone when the shelters were finished. But you had to hunt—” (Golding 100), clearly displaying his hatred towards Jack’s violent, impulsive, evil nature and shows how initially, he doesn't agree with Jack’s reckless opinion of hunting, as it is going against his own morals. However, after a certain event transpired on Ralph's way to the mountain on the island, his perception of hunting seems to have changed. As the word amongst the boys on the island was that there is “A snake-thing. Ever so big...” (Golding 48), Ralph decides to go searching for it, along with Jack and Roger. Yet on his way, there is an unexpected attack, and as Ralph naturally thinks that it is the “beastie", the "snake thing", when it is actually just an innocent wild boar, spears it. Ralph didn't seem to exhibit any feelings of guilt, regret, or remorse due to his savage, wicked behaviour, but instead, happiness, pride, and a sense of accomplishment, as “Ralph talked on, excitedly. ‘I hit him all right. The spear stuck in. I wounded him!’” (Golding 162). Therefore, shows how he is changing his opinion towards hunting, as he initially thinks of it as an evil act of savagery, but now, an exciting accomplishment to be proud of. Hence, proving that one’s thoughts and behaviours can have a drastic change when in a fearful, life-threatening environment.

Lastly, after spending a certain amount of time away from a properly developed civilized society, humans will begin to lose their innocence and naturally be drawn to the act of taking a life. When Jack first lands on the island, he has the urge and determination to lead the other boys that he is stranded with, as he thinks his experience was incomparable, but, once he is overruled by Ralph, he thinks it was unjust, and because of his loss of leadership and power, he decides to do whatever is deemed necessary to win over the boys and rob Ralph of his title. So, when he was going into the forest with Ralph and Simon and sees an innocent piglet, his window of opportunity comes to light. He decides to kill the piglet and impress Roger and prove to himself that he is an exceptional leader, as the murder will show his undying willingness to feed and serve the group, but he isn’t able to, as he can’t bear “the enormity of the knife descending and cutting into living flesh; because of the unbearable blood.” (Golding 40), displaying that despite potentially being able to receive the power that he desperately desires, he is still holding onto the small portion of civility that he isn’t ready to release. Showing how he is still not comfortable with the animalistic nature that perfectly suits the island to make that sacrifice. But, this still leaves Jack angry and embarrassed, which brings something out in him, the need to kill, a lust for blood, and makes it his new motive, besides trying to overthrow Ralph as chief and steal the title for himself. He executes his plan by taking the twin boys, Sam and Eric, with him into the forest to catch and kill an innocent pig, and doesn't show any remorse. He was feeling such joy, content, and pride despite losing his innocence due to his vicious, evil behaviour that he continuously, joyously chants “Kill the pig. Cut her throat. Spill her blood.” (Golding 96). Thus, displaying how Jack, who is feeling hesitant and remorseful towards the act of taking a life has become familiarized with it, and ultimately, presenting how after spending a certain amount of time away from a properly developed civilized society, humans will begin to lose their innocence and will naturally become drawn to the act of taking a life. 

In conclusion, all humans have an inherently evil nature, and no matter what they do, their hidden evil will not always be compressed, allowing it to possibly be dangerously exposed at any given time.  William Golding demonstrates humans inherently evil nature as they are willing to do anything, no matter the cost to stay powerful, by showing how humans initial thoughts and behaviours worsen when in a life-threatening environment, and that eventually, after spending a certain amount of time away from a properly developed civilized society, humans will naturally be drawn towards the act of taking an innocent life. Ultimately, suggesting humans suppressed brutality and monstrous behaviour will not always be hidden, as once it is seen, it will conclude in showing their true, evil, savage form, inevitably resulting in their deaths.