Savage Contradiction in Heterotopia :: Culture Cultural Essays

Savage Contradiction in Heterotopia During the 1930s, the myth of the people was born. This myth stressed the importance of accordance, and glorified the touch sensation of average, as evidenced in a prize-winning essay describing the typical American boy, written by an eighth grader named Alfred Roberts, Jr., for a contest sponsored by the 1939-40 blank New York Worlds Fair. This document, which claims that a typical American boy should be courageous, dependable, and devoted to his beliefs, was clearly reflective of the values the Fair held dear (Susman, 1980, p. 22). Yet, for all the unity the Fair stressed, it was plagued by contradictions - Contradictions that can be closely associated with those found in the 1954 saucy cleric of the Flies, by William Golding. To begin, I will provide a summary of this novel, as well as insights into the authors motivations for writing such a book. I will then discuss the contradictions found within the novel, and their sexual congress t o those found at the 1939-40 Worlds Fair and its streamlined view of human nature. William Golding wrote Lord of the Flies following his experiences in World War II when, later witnessing countless acts of mans inhumanity to man, he became disenchanted with human nature. Golding believed that humans, including children, were inherently evil, and if go away without direction, would revert back to savage ways. This is the premise for his most famous novel which opens on a deserted island following the shooting down of a plane carrying a group of boys. All the boys and none of the adults survive the crash, going away the boys on an island heterotopia - a physical locale set apart from traditionalistic public life where rules and expectations are suspended. Although the first character, Ralph, is originally excited at the idea of No grownups, his counterpart, Piggy is focused on the need for guidance and rules. This is when the boys encounter the conch, which is a type of shell, whic h if blown into in a authentic spot, creates a sound loud enough to signal all the boys garbled across the island to a central meeting spot. The conch comes to represent authority, as it is distinct that anyone holding it must be listened to. As the boys gather, Ralph is chosen as their leader, ofttimes to the dismay off Jack, another main character, and his gang, who refuse to submit to his authority.