A Defective Society Essay, Research Paper

A Defective Society

There is a Beelzebub in each man and woman of this known society. It is “the fury and the mire of human veins” (Dostoievsky 205). The author William Golding sums this up in the quote, the “defects of society can be traced to the defects in human nature.” Golding presents this idea in the novel Lord of the Flies. This premise is proven in the savagery and the indolence that lies within the boys of Lord of the Flies and within us all.

Savagery is very evident in the story of Lord of the Flies. This savagery shows up greatly when the boys are hunting. Take for instance when “Maurice rubbed the [blood] all over his face” (Golding 135). This act relates to murder in today’s society. They both have the same savagery driving them. Another example of how savagery leads to murder is when Simon is killed and everyone is chanting, “Kill the beast! Cut his throat! Spill his blood!” (Golding 152) The excitement of the moment brought out the savageness of their animal being. In conclusion, murder can be traced back to the savagery within human nature.

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Lust for power is extremely evident in the Lord of the Flies. Through the story “[their minds become] crowded with memories; memories of the knowledge that had come to them when they closed in on the struggling pig, knowledge that they had outwitted a living thing, imposed their will upon it, taken away its life like a long satisfying drink” (Golding 70). The idea that they can control something gives them pleasure. This can be translated directly into society again through murder. Many people who act on this want to kill receive satisfaction knowing that they have the power to destroy something as substantial as life. Another example of lust for power is illustrated by this quote, “He became absorbed beyond mere happiness as he felt himself exercising control over living things” (Golding 61). This lust for power can relate to many different things, for instance, Hitler. He wanted to gain control so that he could exercise his power over the world. In conclusion lust for power relates directly to the lust for power in human nature.

“Defects in society can be traced to the defects in human nature” (Golding). This is proven through the examples of savagery in the human soul and the lust for power that lies within us all. Society has conditioned us to suppress these desires, but there is no telling when they may force their way through.