Lord of the Flies (1963)
Lord of the Flies (1963): The State of Nature and the Social Contract
Historical background and Brief Biography
Hobbes believed that all phenomena in the universe could undergo extensive illustration and demonstration through the concepts of motions and interactions in relation to the material bodies. He’s view focuses on the illustration of human beings as machines thus lack of belief in the soul and mind as separate entities from the body. As relevant machines, human beings focuses on the pursuit of their self-interest thus mechanically operates towards avoiding pain in pursuing pleasure. He also notes that society or commonwealth is another machine bigger than the extent of the human beings focusing on the pursuit of material goals and objectives.
Universal/Nature Law of Mankind
According to the illustrations by Hobbes, human beings strive to achieve power that has no end thus minimal happiness in the end. This is through integration of the custom laws and civil rights in relation to the determination of sovereignty in the various states. In relation to the Lord of the Flies, there is pursuit of unlimited power thus development of the rival clan to oppose leadership under the influence of Ralph. In order to achieve this power, human beings have the ability to maximize their potential in the execution of wrong or right, human or inhuman, and good or evil practices towards other social beings.
Mechanistic View
According to this proposal, it is evident that human beings behave in accordance with aspects of pure instinct and elements of self-interest. This is an expression of materialistic relationship within the context of humanity. Human beings implement pure instinct and self-interest rather than the concepts of spirituality, humanity, and altruism. This is essential in the pursuit of power as the self-interest with no end. In the context of the Lord of the Flies, it is essential to understand the behavior of the school boys while on the island. Their interactions and behavior are under the influence of instinct and self-interest with the aim of surviving on the available resources.
Passions
Human interactions and activities are also influenced by passion and its relevant components. According to Hobbes, there are several classes of passion in the context of the society. One of the essential passions in relation to the film the Lord of the Flies is the passion for glory. Opposition by the bully in rioting against the leadership by Ralph is a reflection of passion for glory in the pursuit of endless power. This is also an indication of the differences between the passion of the mind and sensual pleasures. Traits of the students on the island reflect passion to survive despite the existence of challenges and obstacles.
Role of Reason
Reason plays critical role in the realization of the goals and objectives following the actions of individuals within the society. Reason determines the actions of human beings in relation to pursuit of goals and objectives thus the opportunity to understand materialistic nature of humanity. In the context of the Lord of the Flies, reasoning plays a critical role in the fight to survival for the student marooned on the island. This is through appointment of their leader who plays with respect to human rights and reasoning techniques. This is essential for the realization of sovereignty of the nation.
The State of Nature
In the illustration of the state of nature, Hobbes adopts and implements concepts of mere condition in which individuals have to decide the course of their action while preserving human rights. He notes the essence of the laws and relevant agencies with the aim of managing the state of nature thus limiting competition for the scarce resource through inhuman applications. In the context of the Lord of the Flies, the state of nature is evident through illustration of the condition of the students who have to decide on the course of their actions on the island.
Absolute Equality
According to Hobbes, human beings exist natural in relation to the state of absolute equality and freedom. This equality is evident in the essence of equal capacity to pursue objectives and goals in the context of materialistic targets. This equality is also evident in the desires and relevant abilities to maximize opportunities into material gains. In the context of the Lord of the Flies, there seems to be equality in relation to passion, desire, and ability to achieve in spite of the challenges and obstacles within the jungle.
3 Natural Laws
General Rule of Reason: Seek Peace
There are three critical natural laws. The first one focuses on the achievement of peace to enhance harmonious interaction in the achievement of material goals and objectives. Ralph and his followers on the jungle try to seek peace through critical reasoning in order to maximize their opportunities to survive on the island. Lack of peace is detrimental towards human rights and aspects of humanity.
Recognize Freedom
The second law of nature is the realization or recognition of freedom. This is one of the most essential aspects of sovereignty. This is evident through the film in relation to the freedom to the students to decide the course of their actions. There are limitations to this freedom as others misuse the opportunity into causing havoc within the society.
Mutual Transfer of this Right
The third law of nature focuses on the mutual transfer of the freedom right to the society members thus enhancing interactions in relation to humanity. This is essential for the achievement of peace and pursuit of goals and targets. Sovereignty has the power to transfer this right to the relevant entities through mutual means thus the achievement of peace within the society. This is evident through actions of Piggy and Ralph in transmission of freedom rights to other people on the island.
Jus Naturale
This relates to the rules and relevant principles under the influence of customs and Rome legislations. The idea behind this development relates to the ability of the individual to decide about right and wrong in relation to humanity. This is evidently applicable in the context of the Lord of the Flies because of the decision by Ralph, Piggy, Simon, and the twins to support aspects of humanity and Jack’s troop to integrate wrong decisions in rebelling against the rule of Ralph on the island.
Social Contract is a Covenant
According to Hobbes, social contract is a covenant in the promotion of dignity of humanity and moral values in the context of the economic or materialistic perspective of human beings. This indicates that humanity should focus on the promotion of social values and moral beliefs in the maximization of harmonious existence and transfer of freedom through mutual means. On the island, Ralph and his troops focus on the promotion of peace and realization of the social contract with the aim of enhancing moral values of humanity. This is essential in the achievement of sovereignty and freedom through transfer of rights to the citizens in the political scenario.
Role of Sovereign
Sovereignty is essential in the declaration of war and peace through vested powers in relation to judgment and legislations. His indicates that sovereignty focuses on the provision of security and protection to the citizens within the boundaries. Sovereignty is also vital in the management of the resources and their vital allocation to enhance equality and effective leadership within the nation. This is evident under the leadership of Ralph in trying to develop harmonious leadership and existence on the island.
Sovereign is outside the covenant
According to the perspective of Hobbes, sovereign is not a party to covenant. This is because of the aspect that sovereignty derives from the covenant, but not a party to it. This indicates lack of covenant between sovereign and its subjects. The power of sovereignty is absolute because all legislations are invested in its components. The right to make peace or declare war rests with the sovereignty thus no covenant with the subjects.
Absolute Power and Limits of Sovereignty
Sovereignty has the absolute powers to make decisions and legislations in relation to management of the nation and its relevant resources. Sovereignty can never undergo execution thus maximization of absolute powers. Sovereignty has the obligation to adhere to the needs and demands of the rights of humanity and promotion of peace.
Revolution
Revolution refers to the aspect of change within the society. It is possible to apply relevant means whether right or wrong in order to achieve the goals and objectives of the essential change within the society. In the context of the Lord of the Flies, it is essential to note the aspect of revolution through negative attempts by Jack and other bullies by undermining the authority of Ralph and others like Piggy and Simon.
Conclusion
In the illustration of the state of nature and the social contract, Hobbes provides an accurate demonstration of human existence and aspects of materialism. He argues that in most cases, human beings follow their pure instincts in the pursuit of personal materialistic goals. He also notes on the concepts of the three nature laws determining harmonious existence within the society. This is essential for the achievement of peace and maximization of potential opportunities. Sovereignty has the ability to judge and legislate through aspects of absolute power thus not a covenant.
