Only me.” (10) This demonstrates the power and control the adults once possessed over the boys and how deep in their minds it was instilled. In Ralph’s response to Jack’s question about the grownups, Golding intentionally has him declare, “There’s no man with the trumpet. In Lord of the Flies, William Golding’s recurring theme of power and control illuminates the essential illness of man found through the chaotic and irrational behavior that consequently follows the pursuit of it.įrom the beginning, Golding purposely sets the boys up to reveal their true personalities through their need for power and control. The evil, primitive being within all of mankind would be released and would run rampant with no one to stop it. In a smaller world or a microcosm, with no designated leader, anarchy would flood the streets and world would be put into a state of utter chaos in the struggle for power and control.

Taking things into a broader view, power and control is displayed over everything and everyone. Power and control has become a big part of day-to day life- kids listen to their parents, who listen to officials, who listen to the government, who listens to the president, who listens to the people.

Lord of the flies microcosm