Choices Control Life
Every choice has a consequence. Decision-making distinguishes between the actions of civility and savagery. Decisions often reflect the physical and mental state, leading to right or wrong. Vast numbers of bad choices show how simple it is to make a poor decision versus a good decision. The children’s blunders in Lord of the Flies by William Golding emphasize the significance of making the proper decision, encouraging the reader to take their time making choices to avoid the destruction of civilization.
Firstly, decisions in life often reflect the distinctions between civility and savagery. Immediately, the reader gains a variation of each character based on actions and judgments. Golding states, "Ralph [took] a step forward and Jack smacked Piggy’s head" (Golding 75). Occurring, after Jack does not keep the fire going on the island, the boys argue, and emotions get to him, he abuses Piggy verbally and physically, demonstrating the microscopic details between a savage rather than a civilized life. Furthermore, no consequences are given to Jack, showing the boys either do not care or think the actions were fair. Then, the experience can play a factor in distinguishing civility from savagery. In the text, "The fair boy stopped and jerked his stockings with an automatic gesture that made the jungle seem for a moment like the Home Counties" (Golding 1). Inferring that the boys come from upper-class British families, or they would not be taken away during a war, they are in the habit of adults enforcing rules and taking care of them. Without leaders, many embrace savagery because they lack prior experience. Consider how older students influence and teach common sense to younger children at school. Although on the island, the boys are mainly all youths and are still learning and making mistakes. The contrasts between civility and savagery reflect decisions.
Secondly, decisions reflect our physical and mental state and lead to right or wrong judgments. Also, poor decisions are often made when a person is tired and in constant fear. Fear on the island is at an all-time high. The boys stress over the so-called beast, ultimately leading to Simon's death. As Simon returns from the beach, "The littluns screamed and blundered about, fleeing from the edge of the forest, and one of them broke the ring of the biguns in his terror, ‘Him! Him! . . . Kill the beast"’ (Golding 169). Showcasing how terror leads to insanity, the children are thinking and acting on fear. Most of the boys have a breakable mental state, leading to savage acts to avoid facing their fears. They do not step out of their comfort zone, as they want to feel comfortable and safe. In order to advance society people need to step up and solve problems. Subsequently, physical and mental health affect the ability to make proper decisions. The boys' are suffering from health issues such as nose bleeds, lack of confidence, and doubts, preventing them from progressing to a civilized society. How could they progress if they are constantly in danger of dying? For instance, "With the running of blood, Simon’s fit passed into the weariness of sleep" (Golding 160). Or Ralph feeling depressed and having gloomy thoughts, "Wave after wave, Ralph followed the rise and fall until something of remoteness of the sea numbed his brain" (Golding 121). Without a positive mindset, negative outcomes are more prevalent. Relatable to when a student is having a horrendous day, internal and external factors make it hard for them to progress and learn. Fear and well-being determine the mental state of a person, reviewing the importance of health.
Thirdly, a large number of negative choices demonstrate how it is easier to make the incorrect choice than the correct one. What is 'correct' can be primarily subjective because everyone has different thoughts, desires, and needs. Different personal opinions reflect how decisions are often perceived differently. An example includes, “‘Look! We’ve killed a pig—a pig—we stole up on them—we got in a circle—’, voices broke from the hunters” (Golding 72). Ralph responds, "You let the fire out" (Golding 73). Occuring after Jack disregards his job of keeping the island fire going. Jack tried to benefit the group by killing the pig and feeding the boys, but unfortunately, ditching his job. Ralph neglected Jack, resulting in a fight between the two, while he tried to bring justice to the island. The argument between the two considers how human beings all think differently. Next, the decision of whether to benefit yourself or an entire group then plays a role in why making the wrong option is easier. "Simon mumbled confusedly, ‘I don’t believe in the beast.’" (Golding 114). Simon has made an internal decision, leaving the other boys terrified. The boys are against Simon, thinking he is insane and could get them murdered. Simon, on the other hand, believes the beast is an imaginary creature and tries to persuade the other boys to not be afraid. An example of how decisions can be perceived in many different ways, making it hard to satisfy everyone. In conclusion, decisions are viewed differently, resulting in the fact that the wrong ruling is easier to make than the right ruling.
The novel Lord of the Flies illustrates how strong opinions and choices are necessary for survival, implying that human beings should make thoughtful choices to prevent societal catastrophe. First, decisions reflect actions and provide insight into each character. For example, when Roger threw rocks at Henry, some may have labeled this as bullying. Our mental state then influences our preferences, causing us to make the correct or incorrect choices. We are more likely to make poor choices if we are frequently exhausted. Consider why, presently, children should get an average of ten hours of sleep, and food guidelines are regularly updated. Finally, the story reflects the boys' wide range of errors, demonstrating that making the wrong choices is easier. Right or wrong can be subjective because everyone has their own opinions, making humans question what is right? However, they are distinguished by their ethics and beliefs. Life is reflected by resolutions and choices, meaning human beings need to stay calm when making critical decisions.
