How does Golding portray human nature through the many violent scenes in the story?
accessteacher Teacher High School – 10th Grade eNotes Editor To understand Golding’s treatment of human nature you need to think about the allegorical significance of the novel and the various forces that are represented and how the conflict between these forces proceeds throghout the novel. The central opposition in the novel is that between the forces of civilisation and savagery, or order and chaos. Golding explores the competing instincts that dwell within us all: to live by rules, obey morals and act for the greater good of society, and then the opposite side, which is the desire to dominate, enforce one’s will and act immediately to gratify desires. This conflict is explored throughout the novel through examining the boys’ gradual slide into lawlessness as they adapt to life in a barbaric jungle away from the normal controls on their behaviour (law, parents, school etc). These two forces are represented by the two characters Ralph (civilisation) and Jack (savagery). Golding’s con
