The Power of Human Nature
Curiosity
- “In the end the temptation to
find out overcame his fear; he
slipped a hand into his pocket.”
(Pg. 237) -1984
- “A certain mothlike quality within him kept him in the vicinity of the battle. He had a great desire to see, and to get news.” (Pg. 54) -Red Badge of Courage
“ 'Well, what now, I wonder?' ”
(Pg. 105)
–Red Badge of Courage
Elements of Human Nature
- Physical Needs
- Survival
- Violence
- Love
- Seeking Knowledge
- Rebellion
- Want for Companionship
Powerlessness over Body
Rebellion
- “Your worst enemy, he reflected, was your own nervous system. At any moment the tension inside you was liable to translate itself into some visible symptom.” (Pg. 67) -1984
- “From the pig-run came the quick, hard patter of hoofs, a castanet sound, seductive, maddening-the promise of meat.” (49) -Lord of the Flies
- “At last, however, he had made firm rebellion against this yellow light thrown upon the colour of his ambitions.” (Pg. 3) -Red Badge of Courage
- “Anything that hinted of corruption always filled him with a wild hope.”
- (Pg. 131) -1984
Violence/Bloodlust
- “Ralph too was fighting to get near, to get a handful of that brown, vulnerable flesh. The desire to squeeze and hurt was over-mastering.” (125) -Lord of the Flies
- “At last the words of the chant floated up to them, across the bowl of blackened wood and ashes. 'Kill the pig. Cut her throat. Spill her blood.' ” (72) -Lord of the Flies
Survival
“It was not well to drive men into final corners; at those moments they could all develop teeth and claws.” (Pg. 76) – Red Badge of Courage
Knowledge
- “He would refer to his ideal person as a Renaissance man. A boy who delighted in learning for it's own sake...” (Pg. 382) -Power of One
- “I was beginning to understand how intellect separates men.” (Pg. 392) -Power of One
Evasion of Loneliness
- “I knew that when the bone-beaked birds returned I would be in control, master of loneliness and no longer it's servant.” (Pg. 147) -Power of One
- “And it was not long before all the men seemed to forget their mission. Whole brigades grinned in unison, and regiments laughed.” (Pg. 13) -Red Badge of Courage