The development and use of power and authority are two of the basic concepts that indwell mankind. The two novels "Animal Farm" and "Lord of the Flies" both have main characters that uniquely manifest these attributes. Napoleon and Jack approach discipline in a dictorial manner by using intimidation, propaganda and fear while Snowball and Ralph apply a more democratic method when dealing with the animals. Napoleon and Snowball have different techniques and values on how leadership in life should be conducted. This is also true in "Lord of the Flies" in the conflict between Ralph and Jack.
Throughout the novel it is evident that the theme between Democracy and Dictatorship is always present. Animal Farm is a perfect example of this. In the novel, Snowball's method was very democratic and he believed that everyone should have a fair and equal chance to participate in dealing with concerns of the farm society. At the beginning of the novel they established a definite time when they would come together in a meeting which was similar to parliament. They would discuss things that had to be done on the farm. Before every meeting of counsel they would all sing "The Beasts of England", a tune which represented the freedom they have obtained when they forced Mr. Jones the human owner of the farm to flee. They established a new fundamental government called Animalism that the new ruling authority which had to be followed. These laws were extremely important to be enforced so that deviations would not occur. However, throughout the novel the following rules, were often modified to satisfy the pig's political view point.
Seven Commandments
1. Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy.
2. Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings is a ...
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Spitz, David. "Power and Authority: An Interpretation of Golding's 'Lord of the Flies'." The Antioch Review 30.1 (Spring 1970): 21-33. Rpt. in Contemporary Literary Criticism. Ed. Roger Matuz and Cathy Falk. Vol. 58. Detroit: Gale Research, 1990. Literature Resource Center. Web. 9 June 2011.
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William, S, and J.r Brockington. "Animal Farm." EBSCO Publishing Service Selection Page. Salem Press, n.d. Web. 9 June 2011. .
Golding, William, The Lord of the Flies, New York: The Berkley Publishing Group, 1954. Print.
Jack, William Golding’s antagonist in Lord of the Flies, reveals through his experience on the island that it is an individual’s assertiveness, manipulative abilities, and charisma which dictate who commandeers power and privilege over others, and that possessing these traits often negatively impacts the lives of the people leaders seek to control.
William Golding’s timeless classic, Lord of the Flies, reflects Philip Zimbardo’s observations on the power of power through the transformation and development of the character Roger and his personality. The more power available to Roger, the more savage he becomes until it reaches a point where he can violently murder a peer and put his head on a stick for all to see and feel no remorse. Power can corrupt even the greatest of men and if a man can have power and not be corrupt, he has passed the ultimate test of character.
Golding establishes the power and potential of government and its vulnerability to outside affairs. In “Lord of the Flies,” each of the older boys strive for power and authority. Their views and beliefs are all dissimilar, resulting in each boys to possess different elucidation on how the island should function. These representations of government are apparent in Ralph, Jack, and Piggy, and prompt the social unrest and inability to compensate for their own needs. The way in which a leader governs determines the path that he/she sets upon his
William Golding explores the vulnerability of society in a way that can be read on many different levels. A less detailed look at the book, Lord of the Flies, is a simple fable about boys stranded on an island. Another way to comprehend the book is as a statement about mans inner savage and reverting to a primitive state without societies boundaries. By examining the Lord of the Flies further, it is revealed that many themes portray Golding’s views, including a religious persecution theme.
Olsen, Kirstin. "Understanding Lord of the Flies: A Student Casebook to Issues, Sources, and ..." Google Books. Greenwood Publishing Group, 2000. Web. 27 March. 2014.
One of the main themes in William Golding's 1954 novel Lord of the Flies is that without civilization, there is no law and order. The expression of Golding's unorthodox and complex views are embodied in the many varied characters in the novel. One of Golding's unorthodox views is that only one aspect of the modern world keeps people from reverting back to savagery and that is society. Golding shows the extreme situations of what could possibly happen in a society composed of people taken from a structured society then put into a structureless society in the blink of an eye. First there is a need for order until the people on the island realize that there are no rules to dictate their lives and take Daveers into their own hands. Golding is also a master of contrasting characterization. This can be seen in the conflicts between the characters of Jack, the savage; Simon, the savior; and Piggy, the one with all the ideas.
The novel “Lord of the Flies” was written by William Golding to demonstrate the problems of society and the sinful nature of man.
Works Cited Golding, William. The. Lord of the Flies. New York: Coward-McCann, 1962. Print.
It was the glorious speech from Old Major that made the animals want to rebel so badly. Animal Farm, written by George Orwell is an excellent novel that portrays the need for power. It shows how power can be used for either good or evil. The story begins on Manor Farm, owned by a farmer named Mr. Jones. One of the pigs, named Old Major, gives a speech that motivates the animals to rebel. After a while, the animals ended up rebelling, and managed to kick out Mr. Jones. During the beginning of “Animal Farm’s” reign under Snowball and Napoleon’s (main characters) lead, it brought the animals on Manor Farm together into a peaceful world. However, after this initial stance of power, Snowball and Napoleon began to fight for it. In the end, Napoleon ends up with control of the farm and Snowball is never seen again. Power is a corrupting influence in Animal Farm and both Snowball and Napoleon’s way of leading are very different.
“Maybe there is a beast… maybe it's only us” (Golding 80). Referencing the savagery of human nature, this statement is one with great accuracy. While reading Lord of the Flies, written by William Golding, many themes and problems presented themselves. The book really highlighted the use of power, and the types of people using it. People in society, whether they want power or not, can use their authority without the best intentions, corrupting themselves and others into inhumanity. For example, Jack uses his urge for authority, and eventually his control, to create an extremely savage tribe of boys, by pushing his own wants and laws onto them. This type of power can demoralize many people, including the ultimate
When viewing the atrocities of today's world on television, the starving children, the wars, the injustices, one cannot help but think that evil is rampant in this day and age. However, people in society must be aware that evil is not an external force embodied in a society but resides within each person. Man has both good qualities and faults. He must come to control these faults in order to be a good person. In the novel Lord of the Flies, William Golding deals with this same evil which exists in all of his characters. With his mastery of such literary tools as structure, syntax, diction and imagery, The author creates a cheerless, sardonic tone to convey his own views of the nature of man and man’s role within society.
In today’s world, people have always strived to create a utopian society. In the novel ANIMAL FARM written by George Orwell, the animals strive to create their own utopian society based on equality and prosperity. Animalism was created to, as like the Ten Commandments, Animalism’s Seven Commandments were rules for the animals to live by. However, similar to God’s rules, Animalism was a difficult concept for all the animals to follow and live by. Secondly, the collapse of Animal Farm was due to the animal’s own intelligence and their ability to fully understand how the farm was being run. Finally, the failure of Animal Farm was due to in large part by the pigs power over the other animals and the greed and desires that the pigs wanted to achieve. Therefore, the collapse of Animal Farm had to do with Animalism itself, the animals, and the corruption of the pigs.
Much of history’s most renown literature have real-world connections hidden in them, although they may be taxing uncover. William Golding’s classic, Lord of the Flies, is no exception. In this work of art, Golding uses the three main characters, Piggy, Jack, and Ralph, to symbolize various aspects of human nature through their behaviors, actions, and responses.
George Orwell’s Animal Farm, is a satirical novel that follows the causes, effects, and outcomes of a revolution. The Manor Farm is overtaken by the fatigued and dissatisfied animals that work tirelessly for Mr. Jones, the owner of the farm. The revolution is inspired by Major, the prize boar on the farm, but is attained by Snoball and Napoleon, two other boars. Squealer, a younger pig, acts as a persuasive communicator between the pigs and the other animals. The revolution is sparked by the desire to live on equal and just terms. The animals on the farm receive little to no education which affects their position in the revolution. The animals’ ignorance plays a major role in both political and social oppression because of their inability to