Lord of the Flies Theme of Innocence

The loss of innocence is a major theme in Lord of the Flies. The boys stranded on the island at just the age (between six and twelve, roughly) to leave the idealism of youth and face the actuality of the real world. And what better place to do so than an uninhabited island free of rules, restrictions, and adults? Because of their circumstance, the boys leave behind not only youth, but civilization, and the reality they face is not one of adults, but one of untamed human nature. The novel ends with its main character, Ralph, weeping for “the end of innocence, the darkness of man’s heart.”

1. At what point in the novel does Ralph start thinking that mankind is inherently evil?
2. Are the terms “mankind” and “man’s heart” used interchangeably in this novel? What might be the difference between the two terms?
3. When Ralph talks about the “darkness of man’s heart,” is this a cop-out? Do you think it’s easier for Ralph to think man is inherently evil than lament the fact that all the boys, including Ralph, have chosen to be violent and hurtful?

In Lord of the Flies, Simon is the only character not influenced by his own inner evil inclinations.