The Persistence of the Past is a theme within The Kite Runner and Lord of the Flies. Amir’s past deeply impacted his future choices and ability to thrive or not to thrive in his newly adopted country. What happened in Amir’s early life with Hassan haunts him and clouds his ability to embrace his life and future in the United States.
Similarly, in Lord of the Flies, Jack, Ralph, Piggy, Robert, and all the boys on the island struggle daily with adjusting to their new environment and the pull of their former lives has a hold on their present day movements. Perhaps it is guilt, since they know better and realize that what they can get away with is more than they are at times willing to do, although they can, “should they?” is a question in the back of their minds.
In addition to the guilt, both characters-Amir and Ralph struggle with vacillate between befriending and bullying a peer they perceive as a weaker person-Hassan and Piggy respectively.
How and why do people make choices to do evil and savage things to people are themes explored in both novels. How do societies enforce civilized behavior and what are the breaks which crack the ability of some to become evil. The theme of Wearing a Mask is explored in both novels. Wearing a mask of higher level ethics and morals was what Baba showed to his son, while behind the scenes he was not displaying the truth of who he was to both of his sons. If Baba had told the truth would he be more respected or vilified in his native country? Jack and Robert hid behind the mask of being “hunters” while trapped on the island and justified their cruel behavior upon the need for meat. All the while both Baba and Jack and Robert are hiding their true intentions and leaving the readers wondering how vulnerable is their own moral character when pressed with challenging conditions?
Similarly, in Lord of the Flies, Jack, Ralph, Piggy, Robert, and all the boys on the island struggle daily with adjusting to their new environment and the pull of their former lives has a hold on their present day movements. Perhaps it is guilt, since they know better and realize that what they can get away with is more than they are at times willing to do, although they can, “should they?” is a question in the back of their minds.
In addition to the guilt, both characters-Amir and Ralph struggle with vacillate between befriending and bullying a peer they perceive as a weaker person-Hassan and Piggy respectively.
How and why do people make choices to do evil and savage things to people are themes explored in both novels. How do societies enforce civilized behavior and what are the breaks which crack the ability of some to become evil. The theme of Wearing a Mask is explored in both novels. Wearing a mask of higher level ethics and morals was what Baba showed to his son, while behind the scenes he was not displaying the truth of who he was to both of his sons. If Baba had told the truth would he be more respected or vilified in his native country? Jack and Robert hid behind the mask of being “hunters” while trapped on the island and justified their cruel behavior upon the need for meat. All the while both Baba and Jack and Robert are hiding their true intentions and leaving the readers wondering how vulnerable is their own moral character when pressed with challenging conditions?