Masks of Chaos and Evil
“He was safe from shame or self-consciousness behind the mask of his paint and could look at each of them in turns.” (140) Throughout the course of the novel, it is apparent how the characters change from young innocent boys into murderous savages while stranded on an isolated island. These boys are no older than 14, but everyone, no matter how young, has an inner beast. Some people, like the boys in the novel, allow that beast inside to temporarily come out when they feel there will be no punishment. In William Golding’s The Lord of the Flies, facepaint is symbolic of chaos and evil that erupts because of the loss of morality while being concealed behind the self-assuring “masks” of society.
The characters Golding portrays …show more content…
First of all, drivers in their cars, especially teenagers, feel invincible behind the wheel. This leads to over-confident, carefree drivers taking on the road with little consideration for others while concealed in their car. Drivers then become annoyed with each other and use vulgar language in their car. Continuing, social media provides a “mask.” In this era of social media, online dating, and cell phones, people have developed multiple personalities. The internet gives the opportunity to say things that would not be said if face to face with someone. Bullyingstatics.org states, “Over 80 percent of teens use a cell phone regularly, making it the most popular form of technology and a common medium for cyber bullying”. Lastly, cosmetics today allow anyone to cover their imperfect skin in an attempt to look like something they are not. A study performed by Alex Jones, PhD, in a yahoo beauty article states that makeup has proven to change social perception of an individual. All of the masks in society allow the presence of chaos and evil that can be easily overlooked.
In conclusion, chaos and evil that occur in society today are a result of loss of morality and hiding behind a “mask” as symbolized by the face paint in William Golding’s The Lord of the Flies. Without the pressures of wanting to be accepted, people are innocent and true to their character, as were the boys. However, when
“He was safe from shame or self-consciousness behind the mask of his paint and could look at each of them in turns.” (140) Throughout the course of the novel, it is apparent how the characters change from young innocent boys into murderous savages while stranded on an isolated island. These boys are no older than 14, but everyone, no matter how young, has an inner beast. Some people, like the boys in the novel, allow that beast inside to temporarily come out when they feel there will be no punishment. In William Golding’s The Lord of the Flies, facepaint is symbolic of chaos and evil that erupts because of the loss of morality while being concealed behind the self-assuring “masks” of society.
The characters Golding portrays …show more content…
First of all, drivers in their cars, especially teenagers, feel invincible behind the wheel. This leads to over-confident, carefree drivers taking on the road with little consideration for others while concealed in their car. Drivers then become annoyed with each other and use vulgar language in their car. Continuing, social media provides a “mask.” In this era of social media, online dating, and cell phones, people have developed multiple personalities. The internet gives the opportunity to say things that would not be said if face to face with someone. Bullyingstatics.org states, “Over 80 percent of teens use a cell phone regularly, making it the most popular form of technology and a common medium for cyber bullying”. Lastly, cosmetics today allow anyone to cover their imperfect skin in an attempt to look like something they are not. A study performed by Alex Jones, PhD, in a yahoo beauty article states that makeup has proven to change social perception of an individual. All of the masks in society allow the presence of chaos and evil that can be easily overlooked.
In conclusion, chaos and evil that occur in society today are a result of loss of morality and hiding behind a “mask” as symbolized by the face paint in William Golding’s The Lord of the Flies. Without the pressures of wanting to be accepted, people are innocent and true to their character, as were the boys. However, when