Think and stink

Essay by jessieloverHigh School, 10th gradeB+, March 2004

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There are two competing instincts that exist within all human being. The instinct to live by rules, act peacefully, follow moral commands is called civility. The instinct to satisfy one's immediate desires, act violently to obtain dominant over others, and enforce one's will on the other is called atavism. The book Lord Of The Flies is a great example of the two competing instincts in humans. A group of British boys were deserted on an island. Without adults on the islands the boys learned to take control. Changes take place, as they are isolated from society. The instinct of civility has been fading away as the instinct of savagery arises. Certain characteristics of each character make them unique. Our Leadership and atavistic behaviors are represented through Ralph, a twelve-year-old boy with blond hair. Jack the symbol of atavism and irrational thinking, is a twelve-year-old boy with red hair. Piggy represented the intellectual and rational thinking that humans posses.

The symbol of Christ and natural human goodness is represented through Simon, a choirboy. The symbol of evil is represented through Roger. As they are isolated from society, they show the human nature to turn atavistic.

The civil leader was represented trough Ralph. When Ralph repeatedly calls meetings trying to restore order, and to figure a way to get rescued illustrates why Ralph is a civil leader. This is seen when Ralph says, "This meeting must not be fun, but business" (Pg. 76). Ralph's urgencies for a meeting and plan to get rescued represented his leadership. Ralph deciding to explore the island to see what kind of a surrounding they are at represented a civil leader. This is seen when Ralph says, "If this isn't an island we might be rescued straight away. So we've got to decide if this is an...