Abuse Of Power In Lord Of The Flies Essay

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Given the right circumstances anyone will become violent and bad. Humans have the tendency to turn towards violence and hatred. People given too much power or given a reason to think someone’s differences “threaten” them, can become resentful, enraged, and dangerous to other human beings. I believe that humans are essentially bad because they abuse power and enslave people. William Golding’s novel Lord of the Flies shows that humans are bad through abusing the power they obtain. Jack acquired his power through fear. Jack scared the boys so badly that they felt that they had to listen and obey him. Jack had complete control over these boys so much that they felt like he was an idol worth worshiping. “Jack painted and garlanded sat there like an idol.” (Pg. 149) He abused this power he had over the boys by turning them against Ralph and his group, therefore splitting the boys into two groups. In the novel Jack says, “I’m not going to play any longer. Not with you.” He then says, “I’m going off by myself... anyone who wants to hunt when I do can come too.” (Pg. 127) He persuaded his tribe to resent Ralph and Piggy to the extent of attacking them, stealing their fire, killing Piggy, and eventually hunting Ralph. Jack also abused his power by making the littuns serve him and follow him around. He makes them bring him fruit and water when he demands it. ““Give …show more content…

Just like Jack did to the other boys on the island, blacks were taken from their homes and brought here to America to work. They had no option but to do the work and obey their masters. If they were to disobey and rebel, they were abused or tortured. They were held captive and were not allowed to visit or speak to their families. Jack treated the boys the same way as some of the slaves were treated. He captured them, made them work for him, were abused if they said no, and weren’t allowed any contact with the other

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