Golding uses allegory to show that the darkness of humanity destroys society. In the Lord of the Flies, Jack who represents the darkness of humanity and attempts to destroy Ralph who represents society. “They hate you, Ralph. They’re going to do you. They’re going to hunt you tomorrow” (170).
Golding uses characterisation to show that evil is inherent in all of human kind. Golding depicts the two main characters of Jack and Ralph as the main examples of this theme. As the story unfolds, Golding reveals Jack to be selfish, violent and corrupt, this quote shows these qualities; "…bolting look came into his blue eyes. He took a step, and able at last to hit someone, stuck his fist into Piggy's stomach" (Golding pp.75). Also, the description of Jack towards the end of the book reveals how dishonest, aggressive and monstrous Jack has become.
The character of Jack in Lord of the Flies serves to highlight the uneven cruelty and power distributed through society. His character depicts a battle between good and evil, this theme is one that was influenced by Golding's own experiences in World War two. Jack represents the breakdown in society and how the “blood thirsty”, savagery in human nature can cause the fall of man and lead to autocratic tribalism. Jack’s craving for power is made evident right from the beginning of the novel. when the boys decide that they “ought to have a chief”, Jack jumps at the chance with “simple arrogance”, and states that its because he is “chapter chorister”, and can “sing C sharp”,so in other words, for no valid reason at all.
How will you restate your ideas/position in short form? People absolutely behave poorly when given any type of power. Macbeth received his motivation for the power in killing people, the falcon in the Second Coming was powerful when he flew away and Rafael Trujillo was a dictator that demanded to be seen as God.
Stedmon Parker 1 April 2011 HIS 201 In the Time of the Butterflies Las Mariposas Throughout the course of human history men have given way to their base primitive instincts in an effort to hoard and consolidate power. Moral and philosophical, even religious and scientific studies demonstrate that holding despotic rulers as a adumbration for the nature of man is a flawed method of attempting to understand humanity as a whole. However, it cannot be denied the power is often the only necessary catalyst for corruption. Similar to any addiction, once started down that dark road acquisition becomes the law of the land. Adhering to the trite caricature of most despots Rafael Trujillo is a man who employs cruelty and fear to preserve
Villains are present in many stories that feature man-against-man conflict. Captain Torres from “Just Lather, That’s All” by Hernando Tellez could be relatable to the officer from “In The Penal Colony” by Franz Kafka. In “Just Lather, That’s All” Captain Torres gets a shave by a known rebel who loathes Torres for killing his people. The barber debates on killing Torres and comes to the realization that “Killing isn’t easy” (p. 444). In Kafka’s short story “In The Penal Colony”, The Officer is the judge of the colony and punishes men who may or may not be considered guilty by more humane men.
The monster acts with extreme selfishness and from that comes unethical behaviour and actions. After not getting what he wanted, he promises to destroy Victor’s life and threatens him, by saying “I go; but remember, I shall be with you on your wedding-night" (137). The monster decides to unrightfully take revenge on Victor. The monster is so self-centred that it is incapable of acting ethical, and that its actions are solely to achieve its horrific goal. The above quote also ties in with one of the themes of the book, which is monstrosity.
This exemplifies how Jack is converting into, not just a savage, but a violent killer. Jack can no longer control himself. Although lucid that he is killing another human being, his demonic wild nature leads him to believe he is killing the beast, " 'Kill the beast! Cut his throat! Spill his blood!'....
The characters determination for power causes them to carry out immoral acts. These actions play on the minds of the main characters as their guilty consciences torture them into madness. The text first shows that Macbeth is feeling guilty about desiring to kill Duncan in Act 1 scene 4, when Macbeth says, “Stars hide your fires! Let not light see my black and deep desires.” This shows that he wants no one and nothing to see what he is plotting, affirming that Macbeth understands, unlike his wife, the wrong in contemplating murdering Duncan.
Through Palahniuk and Welsh’s portrayal of attitudes towards death and danger, readers are shown a brutal side of masculinity where disregard for personal safety is a common leitmotif. Palahniuk depicts the fight club as a place where men go to feel masculine; ‘Maybe self-improvement isn’t the answer… Maybe self-destruction is the answer’. This implies that death is the final limit, and the more a man pushes himself as close to death as possible the more masculine he is; ‘After I said, stop, I could look down and there was a print of half my face in blood on the floor’. In Fight Club, Tyler practically demands a disregard for personal safety as it is suggested every man wants to be the social stereotype of masculinity, so Tyler plays on this by letting the men take control of when their fight