Lord of the Flies

An argumentative essay that explores the statement "Golding's 'Lord of the Flies' paints an entirely negative portrait of human society."

1,469 words () | 0 sources | 2003 Australia

Paper Summary:

This paper explains how Golding's "Lord of the Flies" paints an entirely negative portrait of human society. This statement is proved to be true as the boys commit many dreadful and malevolent acts during their stay on the island which is evidence of the boy's emotional, physical and physiological decline that continues throughout the book.

From the Paper:

"The lack of adult authority combined with the innate evil of human nature and our own competitiveness are the contributing factors of this societal decline. The deaths of three children and the ravaging of a once beautiful place are the appalling consequences of this regression. Although Ralph has humane and honest qualities and Piggy's unfailing loyalty is a positive sign that some things remain untouched by evil, it is a sad fact that these two people are hunted, and eventually overcome by the evil that inhabits the island. Although Ralph escapes with his life, he weeps, for he knows that without the intervention of the navy officer, he would have been killed. He sees that humanity has not triumphed and goodness has not prevailed as he had always been taught that it would. So although Ralph remains alive, Golding's famous tale of the Lord of the Flies' portrays an entirely negative picture of society."