Lord of the Flies

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   ms-mcgregor Teacher
   High School - 12th Grade

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   The boys are escaping from a world caught up in another war, this time with atomic bombs. Obviously, nations are once again at each other's throats and will probably destroy civilized society before they are finished. However, the boys organize themselves as a tribe or nation and realize the need for some kind of organization and authority. They seem to have a feeling that they will be successful As Jack says," After all we're British and the British are the best at everything." However, Jack is also the boy who says they need rules, lots and lots of rules and he is the first one to really break "the rules". Thus, Golding does see the need for organization and authority, but the idea of nationalism may not be what he had in mind. Extreme nationalism often means doing what's in the best interest of your own country and not thinking of global consequences. As the novel continues, Golding seems to advocate a strong, competent government that will be able to overcome man's evil side, not one that will feed the evil by the need to constantly protect its own interests.

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   Posted by ms-mcgregor on Monday September 29, 2008 at 6:53 PM
   
   

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