Are Humans Naturally Violent?

Some may ask, “What is the potential for violence within humans? Are we naturally violent?”There is a great potential for violence in humans but it is triggered by something else. If we can prevent these things from happening then we can, in turn, become less violent, if not rid of violence. In Touching Spirit Bear and Lord of the Flies, human potential for violence and ways it can be offset are clearly shown.

There are many conditions or events that can bring violence out. One is having a violent past; some don’t know anything better to do so they are violent, as explained by Touching Spirit Bear’s protagonist, Cole, in chapter 25. “‘My dad has beaten me my whole life,’ he explained. ‘But I know now he never meant to hurt me. He was beaten by his father, and that’s all he knew.’” (Mikaelsen, 214) Anger is another factor that can trigger violence: if you’re mad at someone, then you are more likely to be violent towards them. One example of this is in the novel was when Cole beat up Peter. “Later, after school, Cole cornered Peter outside in the parking lot. With anger that had been brewing all day, he attacked him and started hitting him hard in the face with his bare fists.” (Mikaelsen, 7) A third factor that can stimulate violence is greed. In Lord of the Flies, one of the leaders of the abandoned boys, Jack, became violent and tried to kill Ralph and Ralph’s followers because he wanted to be chief and be in control.

Even though people have a high potential of being violent, some people seek to offset or halt the violence and try to help those inclined toward violence to find another, less harmful way to relate to others. Touching Spirit Bear had great examples of people trying to help someone inclined toward violence find a more peaceful way to relate and interact with others. Specifically, officers Edwin and Garvey, who had to respond to Cole’s beating of another boy, Peter, worked with Cole to help him control his anger and become calmer. Garvey referred Cole to Circle Justice, a system which focuses on healing instead of punishment and that is based on the First Nation’s traditions that provides healing for the offender and the victim. Both Edwin and Garvey helped organize Cole’s banishment to a remote Alaskan island as part of his healing. After Cole was mauled by the Spirit Bear, Edwin and Garvey helped convince the healing circle to release Cole into their custody so they could take him back to the island for him to continue healing. Cole, someone who has experienced violence for such a long time from his father, doesn’t know if he can fix the harm he’s caused.“‘And what if I can’t help Peter?’ Cole asked, worried. ‘Then you need to help someone else.’ ‘Is that why you and Garvey have helped me so much?’ Edwin nodded, then turned and walked toward the boat.’” (Mikaelsen 196). Lord of the Flies showed how a completely peaceful situation can turn violent and was the opposite of Touching Spirit Bearwhich illustrated how a very violent, rule breaking person can change their personality and become a civil and peaceful member of society .Even though these books are opposites they both show the human potential for violence and that some seek to stop fighting. Piggy, another one of the leaders of the abandoned boys in Lord of the Flies, was an example of someone who tried to stop the fighting and who wasn’t violent. He tried to avoid violence and trouble, as in chapter 9. “Piggy touched Ralph’s wrist. ‘Come away. There’s going to be trouble. And we’ve had our meat.’” (Golding 151)