Lord of the Flies-Nature vs.

Nurture
Human nature; the psychological, physical, and behavioural characteristics that have developed and shaped humans over their 200,000 years of anatomical existence. It is ignorant to say that the environment around us does not in any way affect who we are. My generation mostly consumed and dependent on modern technology reacts and interacts on a whole other level in comparison to people of former decades. However, I am not saying that this is my view on the ongoing debate. Nature vs. nurture, like many analytical discussions has or is a grey area. Humans, of varying views and opinions, shapes and sizes are all-in-all of their own unique persona. People can also adapt on a personal level. Life experiences, personal goals and guidance by family cause an imperceptible rippling effect on a persons soul. Just like the human brain, the soul also forms connections and pathways but these connections are not always logical and reasonable. A soul cannot be defined, as it is an underlying aspect of a person. A crude example perhaps is as follows; a girl is left and ignored by everyone throughout her childhood, scarring her self-esteem and opinion. As the girl grows older she finds it hard to commit to anything or anyone. Completely shutting out people who are willing to care for her, because she does not want to feel the pain she had previously known. Emotional trauma and stress will alter or form a persons base personality, different from anyone elses. Some may argue that people react to similar experiences with little discrepancy because we all have the same instinct. It is also very difficult to define nurture and nature from one another. It is said that nature is developed by ones surroundings and environment over a period of time. Then answer me this, if nurture is also a synonym for develop does it not also mean that nurture is affected by the environment? Importantly, there is a fine line between the two. If nurture is constant and relatively the same throughout someones life does it not become part of their environment? The way someone nurtures or cares for someone is also formed by experience and perhaps has roots ingrained in human DNA. Humans adapt in a very similar fashion to other animal life. Our environment causes us to take on new characteristics that will help us survive adeptly. People native Africa will have a darker complexion in comparison to someone living in Norway due to the fact they are exposed to harsher sunlight. However, not all adaptions made by the environment are physical.

Cameron Maynard 2012

In the modern world, people have to learn faster to keep up with the ever developing technology. Within this new-age environment also arises new problems that people are forced to face. Social issues are more likely to be resolved or ignored over cyberspace. Facebook and mainstream social networks have changed the culture of modern generations. New morals and views on the world are being produced. Younger people have begun to feel pressured about religious choices and how they choose to question things. But is this oppression nurture or nature? It hasnt yet become ingrained into peoples underlying genetics has it? What people think to themselves also falls under the category of nurture. Someones personality can insinuate their emotions to others. Personalities can range from; arrogance, dependence, honesty, determination, confidence, timidness, aggressiveness, caring, spiteful and all of these have been created by nurture and experience. These personalities affect how a person thinks to themselves. If they have confidence it is likely that personal turmoil is easily solved or non-existent. If someone is arrogant it will have a similar resolution but of an unhealthy virtue. Now its time to link all of this back to novel Lord of the Flies. I feel that this section of assessment has been included so that my peers and I can try to understand how and why Jack and his tribe resorted to savagery. Even though it is just a book, I find it personally hard to see how they turned so willingly. I couldnt deal with the personal disgrace that my own conscience would be feeling even at the thought of coldly harming others. Perhaps, it was Jacks innocence and selfpride that lead him and the others into a state of barbarity. Jack probably hadnt been faced with any self-inflicting issues, or maybe it was just his poor sense of judgement clouded by his innocence. I am aware that this response has not really narrowed down my opinion on the regarded topic. However, I can agree that in terms of the book that it was human nature and the lack of nurture on the island that caused Jack and many of the other boys to follow him into his reclusive state of savagery. Ralph however, still held conversations and observations in his mind. Many may wonder why Ralph and a few other boys were able to stay calm and controlled for most of their isolation but I think it revolves around their strong willed personalities.

Cameron Maynard 2012