>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@xxxxxxxxxxx
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.
------------------
>
>>
>>
>> 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@xxxxxxxxxxx
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.
------------------