Ambiguity In Lord Of The Flies Essay

A man named William Beckford once said “It is a great evil to look upon mankind with too clear vision. You seem to be living among wild beasts, and you become a wild beast yourself.” William Golding clearly emphasizes a theme similar to this in his novel Lord of the Flies. Golding’s novel is about a group of British boys who crash land on an deserted island. With no adults present, it’s up to the most logical children of the few to help the others survive the isolated conditions. As the group progresses on the island, priorities change and chaos strikes, changing their outlook on human frailty. Though being at such a young age, the boys do whatever it takes to survive on the island. Even if it includes slaughtering one of their own.

The “Lord of the Flies” states, “‘You knew, didn’t you? I’m part of you… I’m the reason why it’s a no go? Why things are what they are?’” (p. 143). This sow head symbolizes a type of Satan figure, hinting that the bestial creature they are looking for is within them, rather than of another species. As a result of the boys’ fear of the beast, they partake in the bloodshed of their friend Simon.

By the very end of the book, even the most civilized characters, such as Ralph and Piggy, became as evil as the rest. They both take part in Simon’s slaughter, in which they had no intent of doing. Ralph claims, “‘That was murder.’” (p.156), while Piggy contradicts, “‘It was an accident… Coming in the dark… He was batty. He asked for it… It was an accident.’” (pg.157). Both characters do their best to stay civilized, yet they still take part in the atrocious murder of a human being. The group of boys became so engrossed in the fear of the the beast that roams the island, that they knowingly and unknowingly murdered one of their acquaintances, showing how feral and evil human beings can