Authority and boundaries exist in every civilized society regardless of the size and population. Government and laws are indispensable in helping to keep the society peaceful and functional. The microcosm adduced in the novel Lord of the Flies by William Golding is a perfect example of how the loss of boundaries and authority would result in the rise of evil spirits. In general, human beings need authority and boundaries in order to interact with others harmoniously. Without authority and boundaries, people can be influenced towards evil. The potential for evilness also increases in the absence of authority and boundaries. And even a good individual can be converted into a black sheep. In all, the inherent potential of both good and evil lies in every human soul.
Although good and evil coexists within people, without the inhibition of authority, people can be influenced towards evil. Jack demonstrated his metamorphosis towards an evil character through these words, Well raid them and take fire. (Golding William, Lord of the Flies, Page 136). Jacks tribe was in need of a fire, and Jack decided to solve the problem by looting the other tribe. Looting is an extreme and violent way to gain things from other people. It is recognized as an unacceptable and wicked action in a civilized society and will be punished severely. But since there is no presence of authority and boundaries on the island, looting seemed to Jack a feasible solution to the problem. This clearly showed that Jack had revealed the evil side of his soul, which had turned him into a malevolent character. Not only had Jack disembosomed his evil nature in the absence of authority and boundaries, many other boys on the island had also revealed the dark side of their souls. This excerpt from Piggy, I expect theyve gone. I expect they wont play either. (Golding William, Lord of the Flies, Page 131). disclosed the metamorphoses occurred on the island. The boys left Ralphs tribe, a representation of authority and civilized society, and joined the evil force (Jacks tribe). The evilness slowly gained power and gradually took over the control on the island. It would entice more people to affiliate. Eventually the last bit of goodness on the island would be licked up by the absolute power of the evilness. Authority and boundaries is a powerful weapon in holding back the evil spirits from spreading within a society. Once authority loses its power, people would be influenced towards evilness.
In every soul, there is a balance point between good and evil. Without the obligation of authority and boundaries, the balance would immediately slant towards the evil side and the potential for evilness increases as the result. Roger for example, demonstrated his accretion of evilness in this quotation: Right up her ass! (Golding William, Lord of the Flies, Page 135). Roger shouted the above statement after he had stuck a stick into a pigs rear. It was an accident, but Roger seemed to be proud of his action. The sympathy for living creatures had faded in Rogers mind with the loss of authority and morality. The evil spirit inside Rogers soul had evoked completely and led Roger to become an increasingly evil character. Consequently as the result of his accretion in evilness, Roger would later become the murderer of Piggy. Nevertheless, Roger was not the only character whose potential of evilness had increased due to the lack of authority and boundaries; Jack was another good example in the novel. This quotation from Jack, See? See? Thats what youll get! I meant that! (Golding William, Lord of the Flies, Page 181). evinced the increase in Jacks evil potential. He said the above sentence after witnessing the death of Piggy. Not only did the death of another human being failed to arouse Jacks sympathy, it was used by Jack as a threat to the other boys. His reactions to the death of Piggy significantly contracted with his actions in the beginning of the book, where Jack could not even hurt a pig. This revealed that Jack had completely lost the sense of morality and goodness. Obviously the balance between good and evil in Jacks soul had tilted towards the evil side. His potential for evilness had increased tremendously. Authority and boundaries restricts the evil side of a soul from out pouring. Without this restriction, the potential of evilness greatly amplifies.
For those people who have dark souls, it is apparent that their evil potentials would be revealed in the absence of authority and boundaries. But people with good souls can also be transformed and expose their evil spirits. Samneric is the best example in the book who underwent tremendous changes from good to evil. These words, They made us. They hurt us (Golding William, Lord of the Flies, Page 188). revealed their changes. The twins were the most loyal members of Ralphs tribe (recall from above, Ralphs tribe represented authority and civilization). The betrayal of the most loyal members of the civilized tribe signaled a very significant change on the island. It symbolized the collapse of authority and the loss of goodness. Samneric would later become Jacks flunkies and help to contribute to his evil cause. Condescending to power was not the only cause for the conversion on the island; the loss of the sense of judgment should also be blamed for the change. Another quotation from Samneric, Listen, Ralph. Never mind whats sense. Thats gone (Golding William, Lord of the Flies, Page 188). demonstrated that they had lost their sense of judgment. They no longer distinguish between right and wrong. The loss of authority and boundaries had made Samneric become ignorant to the evilness existed around them. The ignorance gradually turned them into acceptance of the evil spirits. In a society without authority and boundaries, goodness is not praised; instead, evilness seemed to be the correct instinct. People no longer need to hide the dark side of their souls since evilness would not be punished by the lost authority. In all, without the guide of boundaries and authority, even people with good souls can be transformed into evil people.
Undoubtedly, goodness and evilness coexists within every individuals soul. Without authority and boundaries, people can be influenced towards the evil side of their souls, and the potential for evilness increases. Even good people can be transformed into evil people. A person has both the potential of good and evil. Whether the person has good or evil characters depend entirely on the power of authority and boundaries. In every stable society, there must be authority, rules and boundaries to astrict and guide people away from their evil potentials. Since the potential for evilness is an inherent character presented in every human being, therefore people need authority and boundaries to ensure the evil potentials are kept deep in their souls.
Already have an account? Log In Now
6054