The imaginary beast that frightens the boys stands for an instinct of savagery, which exists in all human beings. Being in that state of darkness, has led the boys to becoming vicious and insane, causing their fear of the beast to grow stronger. In chapter 8, Simon reaches a realization that they
What is human nature? How does William Golding use it in such a simple story of English boys to precisely illustrate how truly destructive humans can be? Golding was in World War Two, he saw how destructive humans can be, and how a normal person can go from a civilized human beign into savages. In Lord of the Flies, William Golding uses the theme of human nature to show how easily society can collapse, and how self-destructive human nature is. Throughout the story Golding conveys a theme of how twisted and sick human nature can lead us to be.
Also in the text, Captain Ebenezer Falcon says that “the mind is made for murder,” which foreshadows, while showing more Buddhist traces, that man is subconsciously bad natured. Johnson implements the idea of dualism throughout the text. Dualism denotes a state of two parts. On page 98, dualism is bluntly noted as being the “bloody structure of the mind.” This line ties man, blood, the mind, and murder all together. Man’s desire’s of the mind encourages competition among humans, and ultimately; murder (the hunt for blood).
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.
In The Book Thief, Markus Zusak highlights major issues and concerns of Nazi-era Germany, exploring humanity’s capacity for great good and evil, the value and importance of human relationships and exposes human prejudice and its detrimental effects on society. Through characters and events in the novel, Zusak exemplifies the complexity of humanity. Zusak’s purpose is thus seen to explore the complexities of humanity through the duality of humanity, the value and importance of relationships and the detrimental effects of a prejudiced war. Zusak presents to the reader the simultaneous existence of benevolent and malevolent acts through Hans and Death’s character, highlighting the duality of humanity, thus exploring the complexity of humanity. Hans is portrayed as a selfless person when, “He made his way…onto the road…and presented a piece of bread like magic” which shows that it was in Hans’ nature to help those in need.
Symbols of savagery and connections to the devil can be found in various locations in the novel. “Jack’s bloodlust and thirst for power have overwhelmed his interest in civilization” (Barnes 4). Bloodlust and thirst for power are two qualities that symbolize savagery, and explain further how it is taking control of the kids. Another symbol of savagery is Jack’s mask, and how it covers his face when he is hunting. The mask can symbolize Jacks’ inner evil and, when he puts it on, symbolizes its control over him as it covers up his normal self.
Great guns, General Zaroff, what you speak of is murder”(Conell). The statement shows that Rainsford thoughts on hunting are beginning to change. It changes even more when Rainsford becomes the hunted and begins to realize how the animal feels. Rainsford now must stop the general to save the lives of many in the future. Rainsford in the beginning had no sympathy for the hunted and seemed like a cruel man.
The use of this literary technique first shows when Victor becomes enthralled in his attempt to create a living being. The “unhallowed damps of the grave … the dissecting rooms and the slaughter-house” which he uses as means to acquire materials for his creation express the depravity and frenzy in which Victor works (Shelley) He only sees these hideous places as aid in his work, blinded to what he is creating, revealing the “regressive decent into phantasmagoria that constitutes [his] reanimation process” (Sherwin 885). In a similar way which Victor sees his monster as beauty and perfection until it first opens its eyes. Further on in the novel, as Victor laments the death of
The next example of iron is when General Zaroff reveals his unnerving secret: he hunts humans! Rainsford says, “Hunting? Good God, General Zaroff, what you speak of is murder,” with disgust thickening his tone (13). This is suppose to catch the reader by surprise. In the middle of “The Most Dangerous Game” Zaroff
Prince Humperdinck tries to make himself seem like a brave hunter, but as the story goes on the reader begins to question the validity of this statement. He is deceiving, greedy, and dishonest. He is extremely afraid of being called a coward. Even though he is a talented hunter, he uses his training for his own good. He hunts in his zoo of death, and tries to murder his wife just so he can start a war.