Blog Post #2

Lord of the Flies has several different themes and issues so for this blog post I chose a poem with a different theme.

Savagery VS Civilization

• by Merizzz, Apr 2, 2011, 7:43:09 AM
• 
  

Ever since humantity began,
A battle started within man.
Two instincts equally strong,
Have been inside us all along.
Each trying to take control.
Different desires and different needs,
Possessing our thoughts and our deeds;
Two instincts control them all.

Savagery is the vicious one.
Thirst for blood and inclination to destroy.
The end justifies what to be done.
Our premitive desires. Our own selfish joy.
An instinct so brutal and reason-free.
Inside our being it will forever be.

Civilization is the disciplined one.
Longing for sociality and inclination to know.
Forming our heritage in the long run,
As we desire for law, morals and life to grow.
An instinct that fulfills our social nature,
Distinguishing us from any other creature.

Two insticts battle within man,
Ever since humanity began.

The IRISH TIMES

CIVIL WAR: WAR AGAINST BROTHERS

Sukhmani Grewal, Staff Reporter 
Sunday June 6, 1864

An unidentified Free Stater found dead on sidewalk Sunday
morning. 

DUBLIN- Statement released today that the Free Staters sniper was shot and killed by his ownbrother, a Republican sniper near River Liffey late last night.

                     

“I heard a shot and looked out my window to see an ascetic young boy above a lifeless body sobbing”, says a local. The whereabouts of the Republican sniper described as killing his brother are currently unknown.

Investigator Conner O’Malley reported two additional bodies on the crime scene. “One woman in a tattered shawl” who remains unidentified, “and a man named Berit Flannigan were also pronounced dead on the scene”. The findings in Free Stater Berit Flannigan’s “monstrous” gray vehicle (which was left on the scene) indicated that he was a Free Stater. The bullets found in all three dead bodies on the scene were from the same, Republican sniper.

Other investigators on the scene revealed shocking information after investigating the surrounding rooftops. An identification badge left behind on the rooftop of the building opposite to dead bodies proved the sniper responsible for the three deaths to be in fact, the brother of one of the dead victims. 

This news appalled many. It is evident the situation between the brothers, who cannot be named at the time, was accidental as The Republican sniper was witnessed with tears and a face of regret. This is the most bizarre incident in the past three years of this war. When will all brothers stop killing each other.

Blog Post #1

"Leadership Is About Emotion"

        To me this article seemed like a good fit to show the main theme of the novel Lord of the Flies. This piece written by Meghan M. Biro discusses the tools that make a good leader. 

        Most of the tools mentioned reminded me of Ralph for example, collaboration. Ralph desired to collaborate with everyone, hoping to have all the boys doing something productive and positive (aiming towards the goal of being rescued), and this is mainly evident in chapter 4.

        Another tool from the article which applies to Ralph is emotional intelligence. For example, although his initial instinct when he came across the boar shows internal savagery, he was intelligent enough to recall civilized manners; he did not have the courage to kill another living thing. I feel like everyone faces situations in life where they must choose between right and wrong, good vs. evil, etc. but it takes more than just willingness and restraint to make the 'right' decision, it takes intelligence as well. In my opinion Ralph is definitely one of the more brighter boys in this novel simply because of this.

        Although Ralph may be the more favorable and liked character, he is not the perfect leader. He was unable to get control of the boys (specifically the littluns) and had he the capability to make them follow his plan, perhaps they would have been rescued already. It is clear that Ralph aimed for rescue (which i believe should have been the common goal) while Jack aimed for pointless fun and did things for pleasure, like hunting. However it is not entirely Ralphs fail at being leader which caused havoc as they are just little kids. 

       

Contrast in leadership styles as Ralph displays good leadership traits, while Jack only impacts the boys negatively and is unable to motivate them for success.