Who Is The Beast In Lord Of The Flies

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Buehrig 1 Jason Buehrig Mr. McQueary Honors English 2 10/27/14 The Beast in Us All When asked about the theme of Lord of the Flies William Golding said it was “an attempt to trace the defects of human society to the defects of human nature.” The beast mentioned so frequently in Lord of the Flies indeed exemplifies this theme of the novel. Golding uses the beast as a way of conveying a large part of his central theme. The beast in this novel represents the primal, savage nature in all of us. As the boys’ relationship with the beast changes throughout the book so does the visibility and prevalence of this true nature. The boys’ relationship with the beast in the beginning of the novel is one of ambiguity and uncertainty. The beast is just starting to be suggested and possible explanations are being offered, but the boys have not really reached a consensus on…show more content…
What I mean is maybe it’s only us.’” (Golding 89). Simon first suggests an idea that he has throughout the whole novel. He does not really know exactly what he is thinking and is quickly shut down by Piggy. His words here are in direct correlation to Golding’s main theme. Simon thinks that the beast, primal and savage, is really just the boys, also primal and savage in his mind. Simon, incredibly wise and understanding, already knows what will happen to the boys. Simon’s understanding of the true nature of the beast continues to grow as Golding writes, “However Simon thought of the beast, there rose before his inward sight the picture of a human, at once heroic and sick.” (Golding 103). Simon can now visualize the beast in his mind and it is described further. When Golding uses the words “heroic and sick” he is referring to the capacity for good in people, but also the innate nature of savagery that cannot be avoided. The boys’ uncertain relationship with the beast in the beginning of the novel is just the beginning of similarities between Golding’s main theme and the
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