The disposition characterized by a belief that people are generally motivated by self-interest and that altruism is impossible is a core element in understanding the thematic landscape of William Golding’s Lord of the Flies. This perspective suggests a distrust of others’ integrity and professed motives, often manifesting as a tendency to find fault or express contempt. Within the novel, this viewpoint emerges as the initial idealism of the boys clashes with the harsh realities of their situation and the inherent capacity for savagery within themselves. The decline of Piggy’s faith in reason and order, coupled with Jack’s exploitation of primal instincts, provides a stark example.
The prevalence of this kind of thinking in Lord of the Flies serves as a critical lens through which to examine societal structures and human nature. It prompts a consideration of whether perceived virtue is merely a facade masking underlying selfishness. The absence of adult supervision and the collapse of civilization on the island expose the vulnerabilities of human morality, illustrating how easily individuals can succumb to their baser impulses when societal constraints are removed. This exploration offers a cautionary tale about the fragility of order and the potential for darkness that exists within humanity.
