Often times corrupted people in both our world today and decades ago blame their corruption on the society. In William Golding's novel, Lord of the Flies, Golding claims and, through a microcosm, proves his theme that man does not get corrupted by the society, but that man is that cause of corruption of the society. Golding shows his theme through various characters. In the novel he gradually reveals the downfall of each of them.
I believe that he does this best through Jack. In my opinion, Jack is the strongest evidence of Golding's theme. Through Jack's witty comments and actions we can see his greed, self-importance and his lack of compassion for nature, others and ultimately himself. In the beginning of the novel, Jack is shown to be controlling, but a respectful leader, specifically beginning with his choir. "The group of cloaked boys began to scatter from close line. The tall boy shouted at them. "Choir! Stand still!" Wearily obedient, the choir huddled into line and stood there.None the less, some began to protest faintly" (Golding 13). Throughout the story, Jack's jealousy, embarrassment, and his humility promotes his corruption. "The silence continued, breathless and heavy and full of shame. Slowly the red drained from Jack's cheeks, then came back with a painful rush. He licked his lips and turned his head at an angle so that his gaze avoided the embarrassment of linking with another's eye. "I"m not going to play any longer, not with you" " (113). In the end, Jack ultimately led himself into his own death. In our world today, many people go through the same process that Jack did. One major person in our society today would be Osama Bin Laden. His greed and anger proved his corruption and will have caused his own death by a choice that he made consciously. .
Another character that Golding uses to express his theme, man corrupted the society, is Ralph. In the beginning of his novel, Golding displays Ralph as a young and innocent boy looking out for every one but himself.