The Role of Fear and Its Impact on the Boys in Lord of the Flies: Analyzing How Fear Drives the Boys to Violence and Disorder
Fear is a central driving force in Lord of the Flies, shaping the actions and decisions of the boys throughout the novel. The fear of the unknown, embodied by the "beast," becomes a powerful tool for manipulation, particularly for Jack, who uses it to rally his followers and justify his violent actions. As the boys become increasingly consumed by fear, their behavior becomes more erratic and brutal, leading to the disintegration of their society.
Fear drives the boys to commit atrocities, such as the murder of Simon and the eventual killing of Piggy. In Lord of the Flies, Golding explores how fear can cloud judgment, strip away rationality, and transform individuals into irrational, violent beings. The novel demonstrates that fear can be an incredibly destructive force, fueling the collapse of civility and moral values.
8. The Influence of Groupthink and Mob Mentality in Lord of the Flies: A Study of the Boys’ Collective Actions and the Loss of Individuality
The concept of groupthink and mob mentality plays a crucial role in Lord of the Flies, where the boys collectively abandon reason and morality in favor of the group’s desires and impulses. The descent into savagery is expedited by the boys’ loyalty to Jack’s growing tribe, where individual autonomy is sacrificed for the group’s sense of belonging and shared purpose.
As the boys increasingly act as a collective unit, their actions become more extreme and disconnected from personal responsibility. This loss of individuality and the dominance of mob mentality drive them to commit acts of violence, as seen in the killing of Simon and the final conflict that results in Piggy’s death. Golding uses groupthink to illustrate how individuals can be swept up in collective actions, losing their sense of personal morality and contributing to societal collapse.