How does Golding express ideas about human nature in the novel? Exemplar paragraphs

Opening point is made clearly and begins to explore Golding’s purpose There is a gradual descent into savagery throughout the novel. From the initial civilised discussions and meetings the boys gradually become more savage and brutal. Golding, by showing this, is exploring the idea that deep inside us we have a darker side that, if left unfettered in the young, could lead to a savage society.

Explores ideas with detailed and relevant points; appropriate exploration of the links between symbols in the text and those used today Without rules that are reasonable and rational, we can soon degenerate into a savage, animal-like race. He represents this in a number of ways, one of which is by using the conch as a symbol of order. ‘We ought to have more rules. Where the conch is, that’s a meeting’: the conch is a symbol of order and organisation, it is shown great respect by the boys, much as we might show respect to someone with a microphone today, as they may have something important to say and it is our human nature to look for symbols of power such as a crucifix, the picture of a powerful leader or monarch which we can look upon as a mark of respect for that leader. This shows most humans want to be led by someone powerful but appealing.

The appeal of Ralph when he is selected as leader is not just his good looks, but the fact that he holds the conch: ‘stillness about Ralph … his size, and attractive appearance …yet most powerfully, there was the conch’. Links Ralph’s leadership to good looks and the conch – relevant quotation

Clear point on how Golding uses our human nature Modern links and contextualisation are explored further Golding shows us our nature, when selecting a leader, to look for someone who is attractive, which can be seen in many cases with leaders around the world – but not at all: Barak Obama is an attractive American leader, but Hitler was far from attractive, but it is vital to note that Hitler was a dictator, Obama was democratically elected. Golding is saying that we need some sort of symbol to hold on to as a sign of security, which may explain why today election campaigns normally have posters to make the public remember a person more. In the absence of such things, the boys fall back on the conch as a symbol of security and reassurance that Ralph is powerful and in control. Original and thought-provoking; Concludes point clearly