A balance between individuality and conformity is essential to the survival of a society. When a balance is maintained within an individual, it can effectively undermine the catastrophic consequences that can surround conformity through individualism. Furthermore, acts of compliance provide the necessary veneer for self-preservation. William Golding explores this necessity in his allegorical novel Lord of the Flies in which, to avoid the destruction of a society, a group of schoolchildren must maintain a balance between their individuality and conformity. By maintaining your individuality, you are able to effectively undermine the catastrophic consequences of conformity. We say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay William Golding's novel features many acts of individuality that prevent human nature from becoming corrupt and immoral. Golding introduces his characters; Simon and Jack are remarkable individuals who, to survive in uncivilized conditions, must maintain a higher moral ground through various acts of individuality. '"What are you doing here all alone?'...'I am the Beast."' This segment where Simon encounters the Lord of the Flies alone shows his isolation from the rest of the group. The use of rhetorical questions in Lord of the Flies' dialogue captivates both the reader and Simon, generating suspense and creating a sense of wonder in the audience's mind. ''Can you imagine thinking that the Beast was something you could hunt down and kill!'...'Am I a part of you? Am I a part of you?' A sinister tone develops in the dialogue. The use of repetition accentuates a point, here the Lord of the Flies proposes that the beast is not something worth hunting but something that develops from the corruption of humanity through careless conformity. By resisting acts of conformity under certain circumstances, one obtains a higher position in society and in the domain. "If you don't go ahead," the sarcastic voice said, "I'll go up alone." Jack's display of courage demonstrates his individuality and suitability for the title of leader. The character of Jack is deeply symbolic of the greed for superiority and power. While his qualities are unwanted, it is an asset that allows Jack to achieve self-preservation. These examples from Golding's novel show how through acts of individuality the loss of humanity can be avoided. By conforming to the mob mentality and sometimes opposing their own moral codes, this provides a facade that allows for an individual's self-preservation. The concept of conforming to the mob mentality and achieving triumphant results is often explored in Golding's captivating novel by various characters, including the protagonist; Ralph. “Jack's arm went down; the panting circle cheered and made dying pig sounds... Robert's frightened whimpers. He wiped his face with a dirty arm and made an effort to regain his status.' This excerpt from Golding shows how indisputably an individual can be ostracized by a compliant crowd. Filled with auditory imagery, Golding highlights the vulnerability of an excluded individual in an aggressive song, triggering a sense of sympathy in the audience. ''Kill the beast! Cut his throat! Spill its blood!'' and 'the crowd rushed after it... jumped on the beast, screamed, struck, bit, tore.' The images emphasize the abhorrent aggression that presented schoolchildren to “A View to a Death.” In a moment of hysteria, one may unintentionally harm another. The angry fury that arises from the boys' excitement is a clear indicator of their loss of morality, although it is one.