The Role of Survival and Human Nature in Lord of the Flies by William Golding (1954)

Expanding the Roles:
Lord of the Flies by William Golding follows a group of boys stranded on an uninhabited island who attempt to form a society, only to descend into chaos as power struggles and primal instincts take over. The novel explores themes of survival, human nature, and the conflict between civilization and savagery. For literature students, Lord of the Flies provides a powerful meditation on the fragility of social order and the inherent darkness within human nature.

• Survival and the Breakdown of Civilization:
  The boys’ struggle for survival on the island leads to the collapse of their societal structures and the emergence of violence. Students can analyze how Golding portrays the tension between the boys' desire to create order and the inevitable descent into chaos.

• Human Nature and the Corruption of Power:
  The novel critiques the corrupting influence of power, as the boys abandon their moral compass in favor of dominance and control. Literature students can explore how Golding uses the boys' behavior to suggest that savagery and moral decay are inherent aspects of human nature.

What We Learn:
Lord of the Flies offers literature students a critical examination of human nature, survival, and the fragility of civilization. The novel provides important insights into how power and societal norms shape behavior and how the breakdown of order can lead to chaos.