While human behaviour is defined by the norms of society, human nature is not. At the root, we are no different from any other animal; our fundamental impulse is to survive. Survival, however, cannot be solitary. As with many other organisms, humans partake in symbiotic relationships in order to propagate. What distinguishes us from the rest of the animal kingdom is our ability to form relationships. The societal norms created within the civilization then become a box in which human nature is harnessed. With the disintegration of civilizations comes the dissolution of the societal norms, and the human thirst for power is unleashed. Golding uses, symbols, stylistic devices, and character traits to portray human nature's need for power.
The boys' behaviour in the first encounter with the pigs still shows evidence of civility. Jack is presented with the perfect opportunity for an easy kill, yet he is relucantant to stab the helpless sow.
Jack Teagarden
Ralph Wolf as he prepares to jack a sheep.
Your New Best FriendsTo justify his hesitation, he claims 'I was choosing a place'. Although Jack's pause displays careful decision making encouraged by the norms of society, he is in reality choosing more than an ideal site of attack. He was raised in a society where innocence was valued and slaughtering the helpless was scorned. Though Jack is drawn by the meat and the respect it would bring him, he knows that killing the feeble sow would be crossing the threshold from a child to a savage. Thus, the choice is really about whether Jack is willing to destroy his innocence in order to satisfy his thirst for power. Golding conveys the intensity of this moment by using an excessive number of 'and's in his sentence. This time, however, Jack is saved from making such a decision because the sow becomes untangled from his struggle. Chance prevented power from...