Lord of the Flies Essay

February 16, 2016

Lord of the Flies Essay

It is evident that the philosophers, Locke, Rousseau, and Montesquieu heavily influenced the writing of the Constitution, but it is also evident that those philosophers influenced a handful of other things among that. I believe that Golding, author of Lord of the Flies, was familiar with the ideas of Locke, Rousseau, and Montesquieu because of three main reasons. One being that Locke brought to attention the idea of a state of nature and what comes from it, which is clearly shown in the movie, Lord of the Flies. Another idea, coming from Rousseau, shown in the movie is that everyone, no matter whom, should be treated equal and have a voice. Golding shows why that idea is so important by showing what happens to a community when equality is not present. The third reason is that Montesquieu emphasized the idea of the common good, the welfare of the majority, and possessing civic virtue. All three of those ideas came out in Lord of the Flies through a main character, Ralph.

Locke believed that when there is a state of nature, a condition in which no government exists, certain laws naturally govern how people behave. Those natural rights are life, liberty, and property. (Nienstedt, lecture) These laws of nature or natural rights are shown through the kids on the island. In the movie, Lord of the Flies, a state of nature occurs when the kids are stranded on an island. They behave the way they do because of the laws of nature. For example, the kids chose to follow Jack because he offered them protection and food, their right to life. Another example of the kids wanting their natural rights to be protected is Piggy. Piggy wanted to keep his glasses, his right of property, and got upset when the other kids disrespected that right and stole his glasses. (Lord of the Flies) Locke also argued that in order to maintain peace, a legitimate government is necessary. A legitimate government can only be established when people give their consent to be ruled by the government. In return, the citizen’s natural rights will be protected by that government. (Nienstedt, lecture) Golding showed the idea of this by when the group agrees to give up anarchy in return for a leader. They vote for a leader and also use the conch shell to show their consent. When the majority stopped looking at the conch shell as something the respect, the legitimate government faded, along with the peace. (Lord of the Flies) Locke believed people were self-interested and people who were smarter/stronger would try to take the life, liberty, and property rights of the weak. The weaker ones tend to join together against the strong for protection. (Nienstedt, lecture) This is illustrated through Piggy, Ralph, and other characters banding together, instead of following the rest of the group’s lead by obeying Jack. (Lord of the Flies) As John Locke states, there is no guarantee people will respect the rights of others but, with government, they are at least held accountable if they do not. (Nienstedt, lecture) Secondly, Rousseau believed that everyone, no matter whom, should be treated equal and have a voice. (Nienstedt, lecture) Golding shows why that’s necessary when he shows the absence of equality. Jack’s form of government in the movie is shown as a dictatorship. In that dictatorship, he has power over the people, instead of the power being by the people. An example of this is shown when Jack sends a message of fear by showing what will happen if people do not follow his commands and try to stand up to him. By whipping the kid in front of the whole community, it’s purpose is to plant fear in their heads so he remains in control of them. Jack not only makes sure that the people can’t contribute to the government but also puts down the lower class, as in Piggy. (Lord of the Flies) These ideas resonate with Rousseau because Jack’s government ends up failing and does not protect the citizens rights, which highlights Rousseau's conclusion that equality is necessary and the government is only as good as the people. The final reason Golding is familiar with these philosopher’s ideas is because Montesquieu emphasized the idea of the common good, the welfare of the majority, and possessing civic virtue. (Nienstedt, lecture) This idea correlates with Golding because in the movie, Lord of the Flies, the protagonist Ralph, draws direct attention to those important ideas. For example, Ralph looks out for the good of the group from the very beginning. He tries to protect piggy’s rights, questions Jack’s authority when it starts going downhill, and lastly, Ralph does not get caught up in the killing like the rest of the barbaric group, and instead focuses on more important issues like getting rescued. (Lord of the Flies) Ralph’s logic and scientific views heavily associate with Locke’s. And since Ralph is the protagonist, it proves that Golding agrees with the idea that it is right to possess civic virtue and to value the common good above all.

On the other hand, some might argue that Golding was not familiar with the ideas of Locke, Rousseau, and Montesquieu. They may argue this for two reasons. One of the two