Lord of the Flies

What does J. Egan mean by essential human nature? List 5 characteristics of human nature.

This quote is needed; "The book is an allegory. The boys are presented as typical human nature as it is essentially. Their isolation on an island is a device whereby the author is able to transcend what he would consider the facade of civilization in order to reach man as he truly is."

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Golding's view of human nature is pretty grim. When faced with our natural inclinations, most people will gravitate towards the dark side of their soul. We need to be taught to be good, evil comes to us naturally.

-humans crave power

-humans have primal instinct to kill

-humans work in packs (like wolves)

-humans create superstitions to explain what they do not understand

-the humiliation of others brings us pleasure

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