The real 'Lord of the Flies' is a tale of friendship and loyalty;

In the story of "Lord of the Flies", the descent into savagery among a group of stranded boys is often seen as a grim commentary on the darker side of human nature. Yet, Rutger Bregman offers a profound reinterpretation, one that invites us to consider a deeper and more uplifting aspect of the tale: "The real 'Lord of the Flies' is a tale of friendship and loyalty; one that illustrates how much stronger we are if we can lean on each other." This perspective shifts the focus from the chaos and violence to the bond that forms when individuals come together in the face of adversity. Bregman’s insight underscores the ancient truth that, at the heart of even the most harrowing trials, it is friendship, loyalty, and mutual support that hold the greatest power.

In the ancient world, the value of friendship and loyalty was highly esteemed, for they were seen as the foundations upon which a strong society could be built. Aristotle, in his Nicomachean Ethics, spoke of philia, a friendship of virtue, as the highest and most enduring form of human connection. In his view, true friends were those who sought the good for one another, without selfishness or personal gain. Philia was a bond that existed not for utility or pleasure but for the mutual benefit of both individuals’ moral and spiritual growth. Just as Bregman highlights the strength found in friendship on the island, the ancients knew that when individuals leaned on each other for support, they could overcome even the most difficult challenges. In adversity, it was the bond of friendship that was the true source of strength.

The Romans also held loyalty and friendship in the highest regard. Cicero, in his treatise De Amicitia ("On Friendship"), wrote that a true friend was one who shared in both the joys and sorrows of life. Cicero argued that friendship was not just a social contract but a moral obligation, where both individuals were bound by their duty to care for each other. In a world that was often brutal and uncertain, the idea of a friend who stood by you through thick and thin was not just comforting—it was essential for survival. This is reflected in Bregman’s reimagining of Lord of the Flies: the strength to endure the harshness of their situation came not from isolation or the pursuit of power, but from the solidarity they shared. When individuals join together in loyalty, they form an unbreakable bond that becomes their greatest source of strength.

The story of David and Jonathan, found in the Bible, provides another example of friendship rooted in loyalty and mutual support. Despite the fact that David was anointed to be king, which could have threatened the throne of Jonathan’s father, King Saul, the bond between David and Jonathan remained steadfast. Jonathan, in a supreme act of loyalty, chose to support David, even though it meant sacrificing his own future as the heir to the throne. Their friendship, built on trust, loyalty, and shared values, became a model of how two individuals can find strength not in rivalry or personal gain, but in their mutual care for one another. Jonathan’s unwavering support for David, even in the face of danger, exemplifies the deep power that exists in a true friendship—a bond that transcends the struggles of the world.

In Bregman’s interpretation, the real message of Lord of the Flies is not one of inevitable destruction or savagery, but of the potential for human connection to overcome the challenges that life presents. He reminds us that even in the most desperate situations, when survival seems impossible, it is loyalty and friendship that become the most powerful forces. The boys on the island, despite their descent into violence, still demonstrate moments of solidarity and support that reflect the basic human need to connect, to care for each other, and to find strength in community. This lesson echoes across history—strength lies not in selfishness, but in the ability to lean on each other in times of need.

The lesson we draw from Bregman’s reflection is profound and clear: true strength comes not from isolation, but from the connections we make with others. When faced with challenges, the ability to trust and support one another becomes the foundation of our survival and success. Whether in times of personal struggle, social upheaval, or professional difficulty, it is the friendships and loyalty we cultivate that will carry us forward. True friendships are not built on convenience or mutual gain, but on shared values, compassion, and a deep understanding that together, we are stronger than we are apart.

In your own life, seek to foster relationships that are grounded in loyalty, trust, and mutual respect. When the storms of life come, it is not the fleeting connections or superficial bonds that will keep you afloat, but the deep, genuine friendships that provide you with strength, comfort, and courage. Like the boys on the island, we too have the choice to either descend into chaos or to build something greater—a community rooted in care for one another. Let us, like David and Jonathan, learn to be the kind of friends who lean on each other in times of need, for in doing so, we will discover the true power of friendship.