Lord of the Flies Antrhopology

Thomas Hobbes was one of the most controversial philosophers of both time. He argued that the, Life of man is solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and picayune (Hobbes 77). Clearly he didnt think that humanity was a good group of beings. In the master of the Flies by William Golding, one character, jacks Mer disengageew, displays many characteristics of Hobbes doctrine on man. Time after time, Golding subtly refers to Hobbes philosophy through Jack and his reactions with other characters in the book. After Golding introduces the boys, they want to elect a chief, and already, Golding is victimization Hobbes anthropology.In Hobbes Leviathan, he states, And t herefore, if any dickens men desire the same thing which nevertheless they bay window non both enjoy, they pay off enemies (Hobbes 76). The ii main contenders for the chief position are Ralph and Jack. Jack fervently believes that he should be chief, and he says, I ought to be chief, said Jack with simple arrogance, because Im c hapter chorister and head boy. I can sing C sharp (Golding 15). Fortunately, Ralph is elected chief, and Jack is disappointed. This simple election creates the dispute between the two boys for the whole book.Ralph and Jack cannot share the position, and both cannot enjoy it, so Jack begins to keep back an aversion to Ralph. Hobbes philosophy basically predicted that this would occur. They both wanted a thing, leadership, and one got it, making them both enemies. This enmity that Jack has last pushes him to the point of wanting to kill Ralph in order to lead the island without opposition. This craving for murder also demonstrates another(prenominal) philosophical point by Hobbes. Far later in the book, Jacks relations with Ralph formerly again clearly display one of Hobbes points.In Leviathan, Hobbes writes, In all times kings and persons of sovereign authority, because of their independency, are in the state and posture of gladiators, having their weapons pointing and their eyes fixed on one another (76). After Jack splits from the community in order to make a new one, he immediately sees the other tribe as a threat. He even literally has his weapons pointed at Ralph in one scene specifically, in which the two leaders are due(p)ling. The narrator narrates, Jack made a rush and stabbed at Ralphs bureau with spear. Ralph sensed the position of the weapon from the glimpse he caught of Jacks arm and put the hrust digression with his own butt (Golding 159). Even though Hobbes may have intended this to be figurative without the material leaders fighting, but their armies doing their work, this waits to fit the same kind of description. Hobbes really means that kings, or in this consequence chiefs, are constantly looking to fight each other, always ready for battle, always looking to rid themselves of their opponents. In the same way, Jack is always looking to fight Ralph, always ready for battle against Ralph, always looking to rid himself of Ralph. Goldin g ultimately connects Jack to Hobbes through Jacks lack of mercy and justice.An unfamiliar author composed a summary of Hobbes argument pertaining to this subject, and wrote The state of nature was founded upon a savage egoism which drove man to seek a maximum of sport without hindrance from a norm of justice or mercy toward other men. Every man was continually engaged in war against all other men (Paragraph 9). Throughout the book, Jack fastidiously tries to not gallop mercy or due justice to people. In one instance, Ralph pleads for mercy upon the twins, Sam and Eric. The narrator says, Grab them No one moved. Jack shouted angrily. I said grab them Their spears were taken from them. Tie them up Ralph cried out hopelessly against the vitriolic and green mask. Jack (Golding 161). The key word of this scene is hopelessly. This simple word makes Ralphs plea seem impossible henceforth, Jack is not giving mercy at any cost. Jack wants the twins to reach Ralph and join his tr ibe. This essentially gives him pleasure because he knows that Ralph is hopeless. Whatever plea Ralph makes leave behind not be given(p) because it will hinder his pleasure. Justice will not be served because it will hinder his pleasure.Mercy will not be served because it will hinder his pleasure. Hobbes directly says that people will not give justice or mercy when it will hinder his own pleasure. For Jack, to offer mercy is to rid himself of pleasure therefore, he will not give the mercy harmonise to Hobbes philosophy. Golding clearly thought of Hobbes philosophy when he was contriving Jack. Jack displays intimately all of the qualities that a human being should display according to Hobbes. First, his enmity toward Ralph is solely based on a thing that he cant have, which is what Hobbes predicted would happen.Second, he and Ralph, because they are both opposing leaders, have weapons pointed at each other, symbolizing how opposing leaders always quarrel with each other according to Hobbes. Third, his lack of mercy and justice for those who deserve it is nonexistent because it will hinder his pleasure according to Hobbes. In conclusion, in almost every act that Jack does, he relates back to Hobbes philosophy pertaining to human nature. whole shebang Cited The Philosophy of Thomas Hobbes. 1998. The Radical Academy. 15 March 2010. <http//www. radicalacademy. com/philfthomashobbes. htm>.Hobbes, Thomas. Leviathan. The Harvard Classics. 1904-14. 1 . I use passive percentage because the subjects are more important than Jack, who would be doing the action. (This isnt rhetoric, its just and explanation) 2 . I used epistrophe to emphasize the point that Jack will not do the things that will hinder his pleasure 3 . I used antithesis here to kind of show a cause and effect. If he was to offer mercy (the cause) then he would accept defeat (effect). It seemed more logical to use antithesis right here than other forms of rhetoric.