marooned together on an island free from the influence of adults and social organization . A clear distinction quickly develops in how the protagonist , Ralph and his followers and Jack , his moral antithesis , and his followers define belonging . Even though Ralph is elected leader and represents order and civilization and the greatest chance for successful rescue , the egomaniacal Jack begins to challenge and unravel Ralph ’ s influence . His almost magnetic pull appeals to the boys ’ savage instincts and desire for power .
We are reminded in Golding ’ s story that when things are going relatively well , order and civilization flourish ; however , when things take a turn for the worse , when the system — “ society ” — is under stress , the values and beliefs around order and civilization can quickly be tested . Jack ’ s group becomes increasingly physical , violent , and powerful and more and more boys align themselves with his ‘ fraternity .’ It is raw and uncomplicated . It is exciting . They want to belong to a group that they can be identified with and that they hope will protect them . Both Ralph and Jack appeal to a primeval desire for fraternity , but via disparate means , celebrating very different values and beliefs .
Like the boys on Golding ’ s island , our boys , in and out of school , are constantly challenged to identify between moral extremes . Brotherhood , cultivating a sense of ‘ fraternity ’ and belonging , is not a simple matter . Like most things , creating an inclusive culture of mutual respect and understanding must be nurtured , modeled ... taught . When things are going well , when everyone comes from the same or similar backgrounds , belief structures , race , ethnicity , or socio-economic circumstances , it ’ s much easier . When everyone doesn ’ t , it ’ s more challenging . To thrive in a diverse , multicultural nation and world , to contribute to and find their place in the world , to be “ all that they can be ” ( the first line of our Alma Mater ) our boys must understand and embrace the more abstract notion of brotherhood , fraternity , and belonging . No matter a boy ’ s religious affiliation , cultural background , ethnic identity , learning approach , socioeconomic circumstance , or ultimate sexual preference or gender identification , each of them needs to feel a sense of brotherhood , fraternity , and belonging to each other and to an institution with values and high expectations .
“ I love you , my brother , whoever you are ,” author and poet Kahlil Gibran writes , “ whether you worship in a church , kneel in your temple , or pray in your mosque . You and I are children of one faith , for the diverse paths of religion are fingers of the loving hand of the one supreme being , a hand extended to all , offering completeness of spirit to all , eager to receive all .” When we talk of the spiritual pillar of Saint David ’ s , this is what we mean . In so many ways it is what differentiates us from many other schools . And we use it to help shape the moral compass of our boys . By employing the school ’ s Catholic faith tradition and its classically informed pedagogical underpinnings , our Religion and Sophrosyne curricula , Chapel , our Advisory Program , Service Opportunities , and the work of our Committee on Community and Inclusion , we provide a framework for true brotherhood and a sense of fraternity and belonging .
Created several years ago , Sophrosyne is named for the ancient Greek ideal that speaks to excellence of character and a healthy state of mind ( healthy-mindedness ). It is characterized by self-control , moderation , temperance , and an awareness of one ’ s true self . To the Ancient Greeks , the essence of being a balanced , whole person was found in knowing oneself . So important was this concept , they etched it in stone on the side of Apollo ’ s temple at Delphi . This ancient virtue represents the dual , interrelated strands of character education and social-emotional health . We believe that it is essential for a boy to possess an honest understanding of himself — his strengths and weaknesses , likes and dislikes , prejudices and beliefs — in order to experience lasting relationships and a true sense of brotherhood with others , especially those who may be very “ different ” from him .
In the Lower School , informed by the school ’ s founding faith and mission , Sophrosyne is grounded in a Word of the Week , often a core virtue deeply valued at Saint
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