Psychoanalysis in Lord of the Flies

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who continuously provides for the needs of others. Undeniably, Simon depicts the morals of one’s conscious, and the hope in every person that we are more than just the primitive reminiscents of our ancestors. Lastly, in Golding’s manipulation of the psychoanalytic theory, the ego is presented through the main character, Ralph, when he claims, “We need an assembly. Not for fun. Not for laughing.”, his desire to direct and lead the “littluns” illustrates the ego’s reign over voluntary movement (Golding 79). Ralph is frequently confronted with disputation from his id and superego, and waivers on the position for which he will stand. While many readers will choose to view Ralph as the protagonist, there is no denying that he is addressed with many instances in which he gives in to the id of his inner conscious, this no doubt, encouraging the id in Jack to flourish and grow to the great magnitude seen at the end of the novel. Golding’s elegantly crafted characters, render much to the importance of Freud’s psychoanalytical theories and to readers of all generations that learn of the vast complexities of the human personality .

All in all, the exemplification of the Freudian theories that Golding provides in Lord of the Flies through his meticulously designed characters, not only allows the reader to acquire a deeper understanding of how the human mind functions, but also further establishes Golding’s overarching theme of the undeniable power of man’s underlying savage tendencies, or id. Moreover, the vividly illustrated representation of the pieces which constitute man’s personality significantly compels The Lord of the Flies’ status as one of the most prominent and powerful novels discussing human nature within modern literature.