Humanity is fundamentally evil, with certain individuals and circumstances bringing out the worst in people. William Golding's "Lord of the Flies" illustrates through the characters' descent into savagery and violence that given the right conditions, individuals will succumb to their primal impulses and engage in immoral actions. The symbolism present in the novel, such as the figure of Satan and the fall from grace, further reinforces the idea that within each individual there is a capacity for evil. The novel also shows how moral reasoning and ethical judgement are overridden by group dynamics and social pressure, showing that human nature is not pure and needs civilization for checks and balance.
However, it's also important to note that Golding's novel is a work of fiction and the characters and events depicted are not meant to represent humanity as a whole. Other arguments can be presented, such as, for example, that the book is a critique of the toxic masculinity and that it's a representation of how societal norms can corrupt individuals. A clear distinction can be made between the novel's characters and real human beings. Nevertheless, Golding's portrayal of human nature in "Lord of the Flies" raises important questions and prompts further examination of the topic.
Uday Tahlan