Date: Mon, 22 Jan 1996 23:45:55 -0700 From: rdrabman-AT-llv.com (Randy Drabman) Subject: Re: >On Mon, 22 Jan 1996, Randy Drabman wrote: > >> >> >> Lord of the Flies is not my idea of historical justice. > >Yes, but herein lies the problem with your comparison. Correct me if I'm >wrong (read it a long time ago), the Lord of the Flies is a political >allegory based on an implicit "state of nature" philosophy. The >political violence of the *boys* (in Crusoe like isolation) is meant to >show how grown-ups act like children. The novel works as an indictment >on HUMANITY'S perpetual immaturity, without, indeed by decidedly erasing, >any specific conditions. > >While there MAY be a place for an existential critique of politics, the >conditions of racism in America are, I think, one of the worst places to >try it out. > > > >> >> Unfortunately, there is not. Go to local school district. Do an empirical >> test, and then let's talk. > >As Hume pointed out (right?) empiricism and observation cannot do much in >the way of understanding causal connections (why do these kids feel the >need to arm themselves?). In fact this sort of empirical test is >precisely what makes this very questionable comparison between the Nazis >and an American underclass possible. > >Erik> > > > >Erik D. Lindberg >Dept. of English and Comparative Lit. >University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee >Milwaukee, WI 53211 >email: edl-AT-csd.uwm.edu My interpretation of Lord of the Flies is not a political allegory. It is a terrifying look at the nature of man. This is what I am attempting to amend. One must understand that Hume enjoyed playing billards, especially with Kant. Thank you for the intelligent response. ------------------
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