The Decency of Men
William Golding’s novel Lord of the Flies looks closely at how a lack of authority results in the fall of man. When English school boys are left to govern themselves on a deserted island, their seemingly perfect civilization begins to disintegrate as the evils of man are exposed. Golding wrote Lord of the Flies to prove that without some method of authority or civilization, man descends into savagery. Man’s desire for power, Golding suggests, plants the seed for his ultimate ruin. The respect humans have for authority leads to their want for it. David Spitz, in his article for the Antioch the Review says that “one of the many questions that have plagued political thinkers throughout the ages is the question of the legitimacy of power” (Spitz 24). Humans question the legitimacy of power, and their pursuit for that legitimacy stems from their pursuit of authority. Officials such as police officers, tax collectors, and various others who have authority do not make others obey them simply because the public is persuaded by “[their] superior wealth or mighty intelligence” (Spitz). It is instead because, Spitz remarks, these officials’ authority is recognized. Humans acknowledge power when they see it and subsequently respect it. Who has the right to hold and orchestrate power is something up to debate, which brings back the question of the validity of who stands and kneels in the “ever-existing pyramids of power” (Spitz 24). Man desires both power to reign over them and to have control of that power themselves. But when this controlled civility is shattered due to pride, so is reason and harmony within the society. No matter whom the authority is given from, when it is rejected negative events can transpire. When the want to govern instead of be governed comes out, man looks inside himself for guidance and finds savagery and chaos-as the youths do in Lord of the Flies (Spitz 26). This kind of descent is inevitable because when the rational links holding a society together break, what is left inside the individuals is what is left to build on in terms of a society. But what Golding suggests is inside is a force much darker than many choose to believe. The theme of an underlying evil is one that is heavily explored in the novel. To sum, man desires power; both to be governed by it and to have it. it is wanted. However, when a definitive, concise form of civilization and power is not present, man turns chaotic and desires to have the power for themselves. While many would like to think humans would be well off and civil, in reality they would ultimately be overrun by their own desires and passions, proving that man is innately evil in nature. Once in power, humans can become manipulative and influence the actions of others. When a society is formed, a natural pyramid of power is constructed among individuals, as humans desire the presence of authority and some method of control. Writer Richard Williams of the University of Chicago offers the idea that man shares the common goal of “structuring social relations that can best be characterized as a dominance hierarchy” (Williams 11). A study of a group of six boys aged twelve to thirteen was conducted at a summer camp over the course of five weeks. The boys selected for the ‘camp’ were all from North Central America, and shared the characteristics of being Caucasian, Protestant, economically stable and physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy. Their strengths in these fields, however, varied. Over the course of the study it was found that the boys naturally created, within themselves, a sort of balanced society, with some acting as leaders and others as followers. Each boy proved to play a role within the group, with the so labeled ‘Alpha’ boy being the individual that took the most control within the group. He also was voted amongst the others as being the most charismatic, athletic, witty, confident, and popular. The ‘Omega’ of the group was the most
the use of the death penalty. Let us not forget that this country was founded on a set of principles that set us aside from other countries, and made us the most sought after place of residence in the world, because of the inherited promise that all men are created equal (stand) within our society and under the law. Somewhere in the fray we have lost our way and allowed the great principle for which this nation was founded on become lost. Now the drudgery of finding the path becomes our daunting task…
without there consent -Restrain -Threaten with use of force d. Intentional Infliction emotional distress- intentional outrageous conduct that exceeds all bounds of decency (another form of negligence) MUST CONSIST OF ALL THREE ELEMENTS 1. Intentional conduct 2. Outrageous conduct that exceeds all bounds of decency 3. Plaintiff suffered mental anguish - I.E. debt collectors outrageous conduct reflects in mental anguish by person proving with psychologist or doctor on act…
and what the characters reveal about the nature of human condition and behavior. The story unveils with three girls walking in A&P store wearing what the narrator identifies as bathing suits. Their mode of dressing seems to attract the gaze of most men in the grocery store. Sammy, who is at the counter finds it irresistible to ogle and in no matter of time has identified the prettiest girl whom she awards an imaginary name of ‘Queenie’. The presence of the girls seem to have transformative effects…
happiness. Around the time of the Great Depression people dreamed of having jobs. In the book Of Mice and Men Lennie and George dream of owning their own ranch and working for themselves. Achieving the American dream is an impossible goal that often ends in tragedy as seen in the characters of Lennie and George in Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. It is impossible for Lennie and George in Of Mice and Men to achieve the American dream. For example, it is clear Lennie is mentally handicap when he tells…
family: reproduction, economic maintenance (Fletcher) family functions: teaches family members the roles they’ll play. CRITICISMS: ‘rose colored spectacle view’ which ignores the dysfunctions in life New Rights believe: (Berger) the family promotes decency and manners (Michael Howard) “the traditional 2 parent family is best” CRITICISMS: sees women as exploited in the traditional family set up. ! 2.) Feminists and Marxists view the family as NEGATIVE. Edmund Leach “over loaded electrical circuit waiting…
Gabriela Castillo Professor Bennett English 270 08 December 2013 Children's Literature as a Moral Compass Children's' Literature began to be more widely published during the seventeen hundreds. At the time children's books were didactic or they were written to teach moral and spirituality (State University). Since its beginnings to the twenty one century, the books written for children have transform enormously to include picture books and almost all the genres for adult readers (State University)…
way he conducts the relationships between his neighbours and himself. The| | |relationship which reveals the most about the man is the one between him and Abigail. Miller tells us that Proctor feels he has compromised his | | |idea of decency and proper conduct, but the farmer does not seem to assume any such emotion. As a matter of fact, he is unashamed or embarrassed | | |at the presence of Abigail, his illegal liaison, and even smiles somewhat knowingly at her when he points…
This is a very serious problem. When a popular brand like Gap is connected to breaches of law, it sparks international conflicts. Some consumers in the U.S. don’t want to purchase Gap products anymore for fear of aiding/supporting a brand without decency or moral standards. One of Gap’s manufacturers, Viva Global produces 1% of the country’s output (2).With a shrinking customer base, the economy in Bangladesh suffers. Sweatshop staffs aren’t just overworked without fair compensation – they are often…
The Power of Pride Pride is known as man’s greatest sin since it was pride that led to Adam and Eve’s fall in the Garden of Eden. It is also the sin of Montresor and Fortunato in Edgar Allan Poe’s short story “The Cask of Amontillado.” Montresor has been insulted by Fortunato, and his pride leads him to seek revenge. He cleverly plays upon Fortunato’s pride and leads him to his death with the promise of tasting a nonexistent cask of Amontillado, which is known to be a very expensive fine Italian…
Invective for Work and Play: A comparison of Catullus and Cicero’s mud-slinging antics Brent C. Monday, October 28th, 2013 As far back as people started to express themselves, human beings seem to have always used abusive language to undermine and destabilise others. By using a form of language known as invective, famous orators and writers of the likes of Lincoln and Sir John Falstaff have gained considerable advantage over their social and political opponents…