Lord of the Flies

From reading William Golding's Lord of the Flies, an understanding of the term human spirit is realized. The term "human spirit" goes beyond the will to survive in that humanity and decency can survive the most extreme circumstances. Golding helps us to understand this term through the actions and decisions of his characters in the novel. Through Ralph, Golding demonstrates the human spirit. He is, at the beginning, a happy yet sensitive and responsible person …

…this is evident when he defends a small boy who "held out his hand for the conch and the assembly shouted with laughter". He shouted, "Let him have the conch! Let him have it!" After reading Lord of the Flies there is a better understanding of the term 'human spirit'. However, Golding also reveals negative aspects to the human spirit, which are that the will to survive may lead to a disregard of civilized values.