K r u t i  P a t e l

The Darkness of Man’s Heart

Analyzing the theme of The Lord Of the Flies by William Golding

 

        “What if evil doesn't really exist? What if evil is something dreamed up by man, and there is nothing to struggle against except our own limitations? The constant battle between our will, our desires, and our choices?” (Libba Bray) Considering evil an imaginative factor, in which humans use the concept of it to hide the ongoing internal conflicts that each and every one of us has coming about inside them certainly adds to Golding’s theory. The author of Lord of the Flies never gives readers complete clarity regarding the origin of the darkness present in man. She just states it is present in humans without any reasoning. Bray’s words are capable enough to relate to Golding’s theory. Bray suggests the differences in man are what cause “evil” to be “born” within man, which seems (in blunt terms) very pathetic and almost a bit pitiful. The two beliefs theories, fused together, suggest man’s inevitable internal conflicts is the root of a very powerful and inextinguishable dark energy within itself. Evil is an internal energy that is present in every human regardless of any specific circumstances or qualities, the amount of evil present within one differs based on the amount of “good” in one, and despite the statement where it is stated evil is a trait one will possess whether one desires it or not, the height of how much evil is to transpire within one can be influenced by external factors such as societal conflicts and (absence of) morals justified by hypocritical reasons. 

 

        Evil is a force that resides in every individual, despite whether it is desired or not, and cannot ever be completely diminished from within a human. Golding makes her point clear that the “evil” is neither derived from any paranormal nor a religious factor. The “beast” from Lord of the Flies symbolizes the darkness that resides in every individual that can never be fully suppressed, otherwise known as “evil”. One of the most ironic moments in Golding’s novel is when the boys’ fear of the beast provides an incentive for the violence and barbarity on the island. “Things are breaking up. I don't understand why. We began well; we were happy. And then -- ...Then people started getting frightened.” (Golding 82) The beast comes between Jack and Ralph, it is what causes the initial conflict between them. Once the conflict between the boys is fully recognized; with the “beast” present, their “miniature show of civilization” collapsed. “And in the middle of them, with filthy body, matted hair, and unwiped nose, Ralph wept for the…darkness of man’s heart…” (Golding 202) “Fancy thinking the Beast was something you could hunt and kill! You knew, didn’t you? I’m part of you? Close, close, close! I’m the reason why it’s no go? Why things are what they are?” (Golding 142) Ralph and Simon, the ones who held onto their mores, realized and understood the darkness that existed in each of themselves and man.

 

        While darkness is within every human spirit, the amount of it varies from person to person.  The “dark force” can be somewhat suppressed by the sheer force of will and one’s own morals. People such as Jack and Roger surrendered completely to their violent and savage instincts, not really thinking about later consequences and moralities. Characters, such as Ralph, struggle between their violent urges and morals. “I’m going to him with this conch in my hands. I’m going to hold it out. Look, I’m goin’ to say, you’re stronger than I am and you haven’t got asthma. You can see, I’m goin’ to say, and with both eyes. But I don’t ask for my glasses back, not as a favor. I don’t ask you to be a sport, I’ll say, not because you’re strong, but because what’s right’s right. Give me my glasses, I’m going to say-you got to!” (Golding 171) Characters such as this draw from what they’ve deemed “good” and right” to keep struggling against their own darkness. The darkness is always to be present within one, but external influences and personal beliefs can contain and control the severity of that darkness.

 

        The way society works and how it is laid out shares a deep connection to the entity of the wickedness of man. The deus ex machine technique is sardonic when Golding uses a British officer to save the boys. “We saw your smoke. What have you been doing? Having a war or something?” (Golding 201) The naval officer jokingly questions the boys if a war was taking place against them, coincidentally there was “war” going on between Ralph and the rest of the boys; Ralph would be most likely dead if the deus ex machine technique had not been used.  “…British boys…would have put up a better show than that…” (Golding 202) The officer expected the boys to behave more civilly and live in an orderly manner with peace, but the officer, himself is a part of a war, a war that is okay to take part in because it is justified. It is the same war which caused the boys to board the very plane that crashed onto an island. Golding makes it very enigmatic to determine if it is society that initially created the darkness of man’s heart or if their instincts were raised in the situation the boys landed in. 

 

        Darkness of the heart lies in every man and woman, universally, the capacity of that darkness differs for each individual, and societal codes play a considerably significant and conflicting role in the existence of evil. The “beast” symbolizes the deathless and indestructible darkness of man’s heart (something of which is not derived from paranormal or religious traces). Though the presence of evil within one is inevitable, one can control it and somewhat restrain it. It is unclear whether evil is a result of societal rules/codes/ways or is it just something within us that has no particular origin. While the origins of darkness that resides in all of man are still unclear; every individual has the choice to overpower, not completely destroy, it with light by holding onto one’s own beliefs/morals and possessing a strong will.