The Nature of Humans in Lord of the Flies by William Golding

The nature of human: are humans born good or evil? These two opposing views on human nature are two topics that Rousseau and Golding have both touched upon. While Golding believes that humans are born inherently evil, Rousseau believes the opposite: that humans are inherently good. Golding wrote the novel Lord of the Flies as a response of the novel, The Coral Island by R.M. Ballantyne because he believed that it was far-fetched. In this novel Ballantyne’s main characters are able to enjoy their time on the deserted island. My opinion on this matter leans to Rousseau’s side. I believe that people are born naturally good. Jean Jacques Rousseau was born in Geneva in 1712 and died in 1778 in France. While Golding lived through the two World Wars, Rousseau never lived through such conflict. A topic of Rousseau’s that always came up is about how humans can keep their freedom despite their dependence on one another. He believed that there were two things that had somet hing to do with this topic and that was a human’s material and psychological need and that the latter was more important. Rousseau believed that humans get their sense of self due to opinion of others. Rousseau believes that humans are inherently born good and that and that it is society’s corruption that causes humans to be evil. William Golding was born in 1911 in Cornwall, England and died in 1993. William Golding was born only three years before the start of World War I. Golding lived through both World WarsShow MoreRelatedHuman Nature in Lord of the Flies by William Golding709 Words   |  3 Pagesyou’ve helped someone in need. Many psychologists say human nature motivates this excitement within. Human nature can affect an individual by how one sees themselves, sees others, and sees society. It is our desires, reactions, needs, instincts, and goals one aims for. Human nature may guide the direction of society, for humans group together creating a desired c ultural upbringing, living among one another. In William Golding’s novel Lord of the Flies, the end of innocence has risen for some very unluckyRead MoreHuman Nature and Philosophy in Lord of the Flies by William Golding583 Words   |  2 PagesTwo philosophers of different eras tackle the same topic, human nature, and a great argument breaks out. Is man inherently evil, like William Golding believes? Or is man good at heart but inevitably becomes corrupted by the society he lives in, as said by Jean Jacques Rousseau? Both philosophers have very strong opinions and well reasoning for what they believe. 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As Golding described, World War II woke him up from his falsified beliefs about human nature by showing him the true human condition (â€Å"Lord of the Flies,† Novels 175). Lord of the Flies, as Golding explained, is â€Å"an attemptRead MoreThe Prominence of Evil in Lord of the Flies, by William Golding799 Words   |  3 Pagesor bad; malicious. Lord of the Flies, by William Golding, exemplifies how everyone in society is more evil than good and how it can get the best of all. The book actively traces the problems of society back to human nature and savagery that lies within the human race. Golding shows how the lacking parental control no rules, is the downfall of their humanity in as much as they lose the characteristics soc iety and civilization gives them. 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In the novel Lord of the Flies, William Golding deals with this evil that exists in the heart of man. With his mastery of such literary tool as structure, syntax, diction, point of view and presentation of character, Golding allows the reader