Good and Evil in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and Lord of the Flies: Society, Biology, or Choice?

**Good and Evil in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and Lord of the Flies: Society, Biology, or Choice?**

The battle between good and evil is a central theme in literature, probing deep questions about human nature and morality. Robert Louis Stevenson’s Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and William Golding’s Lord of the Flies both explore this duality—yet they offer distinct views on whether morality is shaped by society, biology, or personal choice.

Duality of Human Nature in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Stevenson’s novella delves into the internal conflict within a single individual. Dr. Jekyll represents the socially acceptable, moral side, while Mr. Hyde embodies the dark, primal urges repressed by societal norms. This split personality suggests that good and evil coexist within everyone, but society demands the suppression of darker impulses.

The transformation between Jekyll and Hyde raises questions about the extent to which biology (innate impulses) versus societal expectations governs morality. Ultimately, Stevenson suggests that while society attempts to impose order, biology’s darker side is an undeniable part of human nature—one that can overwhelm choice if left unchecked.

Good and Evil as Social Constructs in Lord of the Flies

Golding’s novel, set on a deserted island with stranded boys, presents a broader social experiment. Without the constraints of civilization, the boys gradually descend into savagery, illustrating how thin the veneer of society can be.

Here, morality appears heavily shaped by social structures. The boys initially attempt to maintain order and kindness, but as societal rules break down, their innate fears and desires take over, leading to cruelty and violence. Golding suggests that evil emerges when social controls weaken, and choice becomes entangled with survival instincts and group dynamics.

Is Morality Inherited or Chosen?

Both works wrestle with whether evil is inherent or a result of environment and choice:

In Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, evil is an intrinsic part of the self—biology and suppressed desires lurk beneath the surface. Though Jekyll chooses to experiment, his darker side ultimately dominates, blurring the line between choice and fate.
In Lord of the Flies, evil is less about biology and more about the loss of societal order. The boys’ descent reflects how environment and the absence of social constraints can influence behavior, but individual choices still shape outcomes—some resist savagery longer than others.

Conclusion

Stevenson and Golding offer complementary perspectives on good and evil. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde explores the internal duality of human nature, where biology and suppressed desires battle societal expectations. Lord of the Flies portrays morality as fragile and socially constructed, vulnerable to breakdown under pressure.

Together, these works challenge readers to consider the delicate balance between inherent impulses, societal influence, and personal choice in shaping what we define as good and evil.