Mob Mentality in Lord of The Flies

William Golding's novel Lord of the Flies dives into the dark side of human nature and the wreckage that mob mentality can bring. You see, all through the book, you notice how this mob mentality thing really shows up in how these boys act when they're stuck on that deserted island. In this essay, we're gonna dig into how mob mentality pops up in the novel and what it means for the characters and their little society. When you look at what these boys do and decide, it's pretty clear that the mob mentality in Lord of the Flies leads to chaos, violence, and losing any sense of civilization.

The Rise of Mob Mentality

The first taste of mob mentality happens when the boys try to pick a leader. At first, they want to keep things orderly and set up a kind of democracy by picking Ralph as their chief. But as time goes on, mob mentality starts creeping in. The boys are so easily swayed by each other, losing themselves in what the group wants instead.

A big example is when they're hunting this made-up beast. Fear gets into their heads big time, making them paranoid and hysterical. They get swept up in a wild hunt that's both violent and nuts, ending with poor Simon's death. Their shared fear and wanting to go along with everyone else just wipes out their common sense and moral judgment.

The Harmful Impact of Mob Mentality

This whole mob mentality thing leads to everything falling apart and turning into chaos. These kids, pushed by some deep-down savagery and peer pressure from the group, just toss aside civilized behavior and dive into violence. Look at what happens to Piggy—his murder is as brutal as it gets, showing how much order has broken down.

This mindset also makes them lose their sense of right and wrong. As they give in to those raw instincts and group vibes, they do cruel stuff without even blinking an eye. Take Roger for instance; he starts off shy but ends up a nasty bully thanks to this mob influence.

The Consequences of Mob Mentality

The fact that there's so much mob mentality in Lord of the Flies shows just how weak civilization can be and hints at that dark side inside people when society's rules fall away. The boys turning savage hints at some sort of evil lurking in all humans if they're left unchecked.

This book acts like a wake-up call about how dangerous mob mentality can be if power isn't kept under control. It reminds us why we need individuality, thinking critically about stuff, and being morally responsible if we wanna keep our society fair and civilized.

Conclusion

So yeah, this whole mess caused by mob mentality in Lord of the Flies, with its descent into chaos and violence while throwing civilization outta window—it’s an eye-opener for sure! The group's pull strips away any morality or rational thought leading only towards tragic consequences which serve as reminders pointing towards dangers attached within such destructive dynamics while emphasizing value held within personal accountability alongside societal harmony itself! By checking out these implications seen throughout William Golding's work—we get deeper insights regarding humanity’s darker inclinations along with societal fragility intertwined together!

Works Cited:

• Golding, W. (1954). Lord of the Flies. Faber & Faber.
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