“We are not born human”
-Bernard Henri-
It is known that we search for our own goals in the entirety of our lives, which is an action that lies deep beyond our consciousness and drive away the negativity in us. Confucius once said: “Human nature is basically good”, which implies that new born babies personify perfection, which are the true, the good and the beautiful. However, is that the truth? William Golding answered the question not by word of mouth but through the silent yet convincing letters on the pages of “Lord of the Flies”
Having survived through WWII, having to witness the unimaginable collapse and destruction of his surroundings, his fellow humans chasing after materialistic goals yet splattering blood on the battlefield, all the while himself in utter shock and fear; Golding questioned the quote: “Human nature is basically good”, wondering if it isn’t just us not willing to look deep down the abyss of our soul.
What lingered on my mind is the fairy tale-like setting of kids falling into an uninhabited island. Similar to how Robinson chose his own path, the children curiously explored the new world.
I initially expected the first chapter to be all rainbows and sunshine unlike the dreary loneliness of Robinson, a cheerful story similar to “The Coral Island”. However, as a man who has seen the extremity of war and greed, William Golding does not stop there. That heaven-like world did not last long in the face of hunger for power and rising materialism, where bestial instincts seem to be what remains of humanity. Everything concept was brutally warped, heaven become hell, angelic children turned into demonic murderers. Every known positive aspects of humanity were burned down along with the fantastical surroundings, not a grain of innocence nor cheer left.
“Ralph wept for the end of innocence, the darkness of man's heart, and the fall through the air of the true, wise friend called Piggy.”
Some say that “Lord of the Flies” had a good ending as someone was able to find and bring back the children, though perhaps those rescuers will never know these “basically good” kids ended the lives of 2 people and burned an island down. I find myself pondering how their lives would unfold form thereon, how would they face themselves again with their dark memories of reaping lives and be able to sleep at night amidst all the insecurities and fears. After all, they can never rid of the moment when the demon seized their souls, the moment when the “Lord of the Flies” enthroned.
In the end, the story remains a tragedy and I sat down revising the definition of “humanity”. If a kids’ play could burn down an island, how would we fare when a nuclear war happens?
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