Lord of the flies is a novel written by William Golding in 1954. This book describes the actions of a large group of children stranded on an island during a tragic plain crash. While trying to overcome the odds against them, the children resort to violence and pure evil actions. Due to the immaturity and actions of the kids, the book suggests that Man was born evil and will always be evil. In reality, man was born good and was taught evil.
Golding conveys the expression of "the evil of man" through the brutal actions played out by the children. Some great examples are the killing of Simon and Piggy, also the abandonment of the group could be considered an "evil" action. The group of children believed that in order to survive they needed to stick together. Leaving the group was an act of selfishness which is caused by evil. Although inaccurate, Golding has a point.
According to a Chinese philosopher, all men have a mind which cannot bear to see suffering of others. For example, Simon giving some of his meat to Piggy so that he would not starve and would be able to survive. Simon did not do this so that Piggy .
would like him; this was simply done for the well being of another human being. It is done out of the good nature of that person. .
It is easy to say that the nature of mankind is evil, but actually much harder to state that it is good. Ralph had it more difficult than Jack because he stood up for what was right and didn't follow the group. People use evil as an excuse when reasoning mankind. No one is willing to be held accountable for their actions, so instead of dealing with them, it is said to be "evil.".
Someone may say that if mankind is good than why does evil exist? This answer lies in a philosopher by the name of Mencius. He stated that "society has a corrupting effect on humans and makes them lose or forget the goodness of the Child's Mind, but that it can be recovered.
