The Flaws of Humanity in Lord of The Flies

In William Golding’s Lord Of The Flies, the characters display various flaws in humanity throughout their stay on the island. They Showcase that humans carry non-evident defectual traits that are concealed/secluded until unleashed when put under certain circumstances that those traits naturally come to effect. Human nature and society both are overloaded with iniquity, brutality, barbarity and evilness and this book simply shows the kids are not excluded from this narrative, as society has exposed kids to such things at such a rapid speed that it is enabling them to lose their innocence and vulnerability quicker. In Lord Of The Flies William Golding’s purpose/message is that power can be corrupted and misused if put in the hands of the wrong people. In the novel, the leader portrays the breakdown of civilization. How the leader abuses his role, bully's and torments the others in order to spread fear and maintain total domination over the others, and is no longer able to restrain his inner savagery.

First, when the boys stranded on the island first meet up, the position of leader was discussed and voted on (Ralph being leader), Ralph demonstrated good characteristics as leader (organization, innovation and strong communication) suggesting that “We have lots of assemblies, everybody enjoys speaking and being together. We decide things” showcasing good communication with the others when making decisions.. Jack was later voted in leader and unlike Ralph abused this position to gain power over the boys. Jack was eager to make rules that he himself does not follow as he feels he is in a superior and in higher authority to not be obligated to obey them, rules such as keeping the signal fire going at all times (a rule Ralph established ), a rule Jack broke by hunting instead. His morality did not play any part with his decision making, causing him to make cruel, evil and facetious decisions based on self interest. Jack someone who is authoritative and unqualified to execute his position appropriately and lacks the skills/abilities way, represents the defects and human deficiencies of having proper analytic skills humans carry. These attributes affect society greatly as they are traits amongst many human beings that are carried within but not necessarily a removable trait, In Lord Of The Flies Jack even though carries these attributes clearly not appropriate for the position overthrows Ralph someone who is qualified for the role. That also tends to happen in society asswell, people not fit for certain roles/positions still achieve the role of an authorities in which they do not meet requirements to execute successfully.

Another behavioural issue that does not get resolved by the end of the novel is bullying Jack does and enables/influences the other to do asswel. Jack shows little to no respect or affection to the other boys especially Piggy who he shows great cruelness and disrespect, constantly telling Piggy to “Shut up” (Chapter 2, Page 46) and disrespecting the conch, the authority for speaking the boys held, something jack also disregarding when not to self benefit, saying “The conch does not count on the top of the mountain” (Chapter 2, Page 42) to Piggy in order to silence Piggy causeing Piggy to “wilt” (Chapter 2, Page 42) from the despondency he now possess due to Jacks exasperation toward Piggy. Jack also torturing SamnEric, humiliating Piggy in front of the others, leading a brutal slaughter of a pig, beating Wilfred for an unidentified reason etc. furthermore demonstrating Jacks willingness to torture, manipulate and spread fear all to maintain total domination/power over the others, and the others staying on board with his brutal schemes symbolizes societies intractableness when it comes to power, how and why it is distributed to the people that possess it and the aimless path that lays within human nature, the rout in which you choose to follow carelessly and obey someone who is standing for the wrong cause.

Moreover on Jack's various progressive attributes in the beginning of the novel (in which his savagery and evilness is not as prominent), Jack seemed to carry morality and probity in the beginning of their stay on the island, not even having the competence to kill a pig when given the chance to, he was not able to act in what seemed to be a malicious deed in the beginning (upon first arrival from a civilized society). However, as the book progressed doing acts as such was simply enjoyed, going on to fulfil using the excuse that it was a necessity for survival. He no longer maintained his innocence and virtuous judgment, Golding expressed after Jack's inability to kill the pig that “Next time there would be no mercy” (Chapter 1, Page 31) foreshadowing not only Jacks unmerciful slaughtering of pigs, but also the mercilessness later on also has towards the others asswell. He not only committed cruel and savage acts that affected people (and animals), his savagery also influenced the actions of the others. Jack executing the role of leader means he is what the others look up to as a role model, However Jack's lack of judgment with his decision making influenced events like Piggy’s death, Roger being heavily influenced as to Jack's actions and treatment towards the others, he made the depraved decision to push the boulder striking Piggy. Jack was no longer able to restrain the savagery that laid with him, showcasing how humans can evolve and change drastically when no longer under societies expectations/behavioural regulations.

In conclusion, these flaws that lay within humanity are what structure society. In Lord Of The Flies these flaws are blatantly displayed through the characters (especially Jack) on the island where a civilized society has its downfall. Weather through the exploitation and mistreatment of leadership, the maltreatment and fear spread amongst the others by Jack and the savagery that is no longer restrained, these flaws shaped the outcome of events that occured in the novel, events that were influenced by these defects. Power must distributed to the people who will use it sufficiently and for good and not put in the wrong hands as it will be exploited and utilized for the wrong cause as delineated in the book.