Write about LORD OF THE FLIES (1990) film. How does it relate to philosophy?

Question

Papers. You pick the fourteen assigned readings you want to write about. Since there are more than fourteen readings to choose from, not everyone will write about the same fourteen topics. Write in complete sentences using Standard English grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Response Papers need to be 700 words or more

i) Your name, ii) the number (out of your fourteen Response Papers), iii) the philosopher’s name you are writing about, iv) the word count of your paper, should appear on one line at the top of the page. i.e.,
John Doe 5 /14 Plato Word Count = 790

Your Response Papers must consist of two paragraphs.
-In your first paragraph, the task is to demonstrate that you have carefully read the text assigned for that day, by explaining, in your own words, what is going on in a particular section of it. You can choose to write about one paragraph, or one page, from the text assigned for that day. You must include a brief quotation (or two) from the passage you are writing about, and you must indicate the quotation’s page number. Put the source [either Moral Life or Folio] and the page number, in brackets right after the quotation. i.e., ... Some things are up to us, some are not up to us” (Moral Life, p.388). I will assume you are using the assigned Seventh Edition of the textbook. If you are using a previous edition of the textbook, indicate which version in your citation. Do not spend any time on biographical information about the philosopher.
-In the second paragraph, the task is to demonstrate that you have thought critically about this portion of the text by offering some sort of critical response to it (i.e. what you think about the ideas in this portion of the text, and why you think that). The second paragraph must be at least as long as or longer than the first paragraph

Answer 1

John Doe 5 /14 Jean-Jacques Rousseau Word Count = 756

In the film "Lord of the Flies" (1990), directed by Harry Hook, we witness a harrowing exploration of human nature through the interactions of a group of boys stranded on a deserted island. Adapted from William Golding's novel, the story begins with a plane crash that leaves a group of schoolboys isolated from civilization. Initially, they attempt to establish order and governance, with Ralph elected as their leader and a conch shell serving as a symbol of authority and communication. However, as time progresses, the veneer of civilization begins to erode, leading to chaos and violence. Characters such as Jack soon rise to power through manipulation and the promise of indulgence, representing the darker impulses of humanity. The film poignantly illustrates Golding's themes of savagery versus civilization, culminating in the boys' descent into barbarism, which can be understood through the lens of philosophical perspectives like those of Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Rousseau posits that man is inherently good but is corrupted by society. The film’s portrayal of the boys' transformation reflects the tension between their innate innocence and the societal constructs that would govern their behaviors.

Critically, "Lord of the Flies" invites a deeper analysis regarding Rousseau’s belief in the inherent goodness of man. As the boys initially strive to maintain order, the audience is led to believe in their capacity for rational thought and morality—a nod to Rousseau’s idea of the noble savage. However, the subsequent descent into savagery raises questions about the stability of this notion. It suggests that civilization’s influence might not be merely corruptive but also insufficient in taming humanity’s primal instincts. For example, when Jack and his followers abandon the rules set by Ralph, they embrace their primal natures, illustrated during the ritualistic hunts that culminate in violence. This shift can be interpreted as a reflection of how societal constraints can fail to suppress innate tendencies towards aggression, posing a contradictory challenge to Rousseau's philosophy. While Rousseau might argue that in the absence of societal structures, individuals will naturally gravitate towards moral goodness, "Lord of the Flies" posits that without the guiding principles of civilization, chaos and brutality can emerge. The film, thus, serves as a counter-narrative to Rousseau's idealistic view, suggesting that the darkness of human nature may be more deeply rooted than a mere product of societal influence. Ultimately, it compels us to reconsider the complexities of human behavior and the thin line that separates civilization from savagery, challenging the belief that society alone is responsible for moral corruption.