DARKNESS AND ORIGINAL SIN

Lord of the Flies

THE CHRISTIAN CONCEPT OF ORIGINAL SIN

WHAT IS ORIGINAL SIN?

In the Christian faith, Original Sin is said to result from the Fall of Man, referencing the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.

The first “sin”, Adam and Eve disobeying the Christian God and eating the forbidden fruit, caused the “fallen state” of humankind.

THE FALL

Is believed to refer to the transition of the first humans from a state of innocence to a state of guilt.

In Christian origin stories, Adam and Eve live in paradise, but then are deceived or tempted by another creature (often depicted as a serpent) to eat from the Tree of Knowledge.

After doing so, they gain knowledge (and shame of their nakedness) and are expelled from paradise.

HOW IS THE FALL CONNECTED TO ORIGINAL SIN?

Some Christians believe that The Fall corrupted the entire natural world, including human nature, causing people to be born into original sin.

Humans are all born sinful as a result of the “sin” of the first

humans.

THE GARDEN IN JUDAISM

Adam and Eve are expelled from the Garden and had to live ordinary, human lives.

In other words, they had to “leave home” and grow up and live as responsible people.

KNOWLEDGE OF THE OTHER SIDE?

If they had never eaten from the forbidden tree, they would have never discovered their capacity to do evil.

The Jewish God gave Adam and Eve free will when they were created, but it was not until they ate the forbidden fruit that they became aware of the possibility of choosing to do evil or to do good, as they originally had no knowledge of both.

THE ABSENCE OF CIVILIZATION CAUSES OUR INNER DARKNESS TO MANIFEST

So, what’s the connection to Lord of the Flies?

At first, the boys are excited by the lack of adult authority and the freedom this brings

The more time passes, the more the boys forget the “world before” they crashed.

With no one or nothing to keep them in check, the boys indulge in that natural darkness inside them

DO YOU AGREE?

We are born to darkness, and only the civilizing force of society and its rules, keeps humankind from

allowing this part of themselves to take over.

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DIGGING FOR DEEPER MEANING:

It’s English class. What did you expect?

Freud and Jung:

PSYCHOANALYSIS AND HUMANITY’S DARKER SELF

SIGMUND FREUD AND CARL JUNG

Both men are considered to be the “fathers” of psychoanalysis:

The study of the way the conscious and the unconscious parts of the mind interact with one another.

JUNG’S SHADOW

Jung believed that all humans have a darker, more primitive side of their nature. He called this darker nature The Shadow.

In order to be a properly functioning person, though, one must achieve balance between both halves of the self.

That harmony (not unlike the Tao concepts of yin and yang) is essential for stable mental health.

FREUD SAID THE PSYCHE HAD THREE PARTS:

Id: the part of the brain that deals with survival needs and carnal desires only (instinctual drive and primitive urges)

Superego: the intellectual, logical, reasonable side of the brain that masters primitive impulses. It represents the conscience.

Ego: the “middle man”. The Ego must find the balance between the logic of the superego and the primal desires of the Id.

LORD OF THE FLIES?

The Id:

Jack represents the Id. He completely devolves and detaches himself from “civilization”. He is soon obsessed with hunting, and becomes increasingly violent, aggressive, and illogical.

The Superego:

Piggy represents the superego. He is, notably, the most intelligent and logical boy on the island, and is constantly advising Ralph, helping him decide what is best for the group and their survival.

The Ego:

Ralph represents the Ego. He constantly has to find a balance between Piggy’s logic and moral reasoning, and Jack’s indulgence of his primal urges. It is the only way to ensure the group’s survival and their rescue