Capability for Evil? (Lord of

A detailed Summary of Capability for Evil? (Lord of

Is there a capability for evil in every human being? William Golding answers this question through the use of symbolism, in his novel, Lord of the Flies. Ralph, Jack, Piggy, and the other boys of the choir find themselves stranded on a deserted island. Quickly the island is divided into two sides, the intelligent and logical, and the brave and inhumane. A struggle for power turns into a life or death situation between the two sides, while nothing is being accomplished. Golding uses the symbols of the conch, fire, and Jack, to elaborate, and prove, that we all have the capacity for evil in us.

The conch brings out both power and callousness in the boys. For example, the boys have called a meeting, using the conch, to discuss the fire on the mountain. Jack insults Piggy, interrupting him at the same time, Piggy retaliates, " 'I got the conch.' Piggy said bleakly." (Golding 40) The conch is supposed to give Piggy power and respect, because the boys agreed it is supposed to be used when someone wants to talk. It is the only thing that gives the meetings any order. This object of order is not being taken seriously. In addition, when Ralph, Piggy, and Samneric go to get the glasses back from Jack, two of their former friends bl

Golding uses symbols to prove, that we all have the capacity for evil inside of us. The conch is destroyed as all hope for a governed group is destroyed. Jack has the ability to kill his own friend. In Lord of the Flies, the question of whether or not every person has the capacity for evil in them is answered; the answer is an unquestionable yes.

Jack slowly, yet distinctly, shows the transition from boy, to savage. For example, early in the novel, Jack comes back from his first hunt and is questioned why the pig was not killed, he answers, " "I was choosing a place...I was just waiting for a moment to decide where to stab him.'" (29) Jack starts out as a very kind-hearted boy. Jack does not want to admit that he could not kill the pig, but in any sense, he could not kill it. The killing bothered him, and that's what separated him from an animal. In addition, Jack has been on the island a long time, and his hunters have the desire to kill, this desire is expressed here, "struck down by the heat, the sow fell and the hunters hurled themselves at her." (135) Jack has lost the quality of caring, and is fine with taking a sow's life. Jack does not care anymore, and is using just instincts. Furthermore, at the hunters feast, Simon comes out of the bushes during a demonstration, the exhilaration is too much, and they attack him, "The beast struggled forward, broke the ring and fell over the steep edge of the rock to the sand by the water. At once the crowed surged after it, poured down the rock, leapt on the beast, screamed

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Approximate Word count = 1040
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English