Rethinking moral values and primal drives in Golding’s Lord of the Flies

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the character dynamics of the central characters in the novel Lord of the Flies to demonstrate the character development of humans when faced with isolated island due to World War II. This research uses descriptive research method with qualitative approach. The data collection technique involves reading Lord of the Floes and look for experts’ data related with character dynamics of the central character. Data are linked to intrinsic elements, including character and characterization, setting, plot, conflict, symbolism, and irony, and relate them to extrinsic studies covering psychoanalytic theory, the life and death instincts theory, and narcissism theory, all three theories proposed by Sigmund Freud. The results of this study show that the character dynamics experienced by the central characters, Ralph, Jack, and Piggy, are dominated by complex psychological and social factors, including the influence of an isolated environment and group tensions. The central characters play their respective roles. Ralph tends to favor the values of order and morality, Jack is influenced by the death instinct and aggression, whole Piggy retains logic and rationality. In conclusion, this analysis shows that under extreme conditions, human character can change. Humans can lose their moral values due to basic primal drives such as the desire of power, fear, and the tendency to act violently. When tensions rise. The moral principles that guide human behavior seem to disappear, so humans tend to fall into destructive behavior that ignores a sense of empathy and civilization.

Keywords:  Central Character; Dynamics; Psychoanalysis; Instinct; Morality