What does the destructors say about human nature?

A central theme to this story is power. The boys struggle with the shifting power in their little community, and Mr. Thomas struggles with his mistaken belief that he still has power. Mr. Thomas assumes he does because he is an elder, and they are still boys. However, the boys have learned at an early age how to gain their own power and how important power is. Blackie gives in to the power of T. when the boys give their allegiance to him. Blackie knows he must accept T.'s power because that is the way of things - submit to power or be tossed into open war.

This theme suggests that human nature is geared towards domination. Humans want to have power - the history of human development is a timeline of communities gaining power over each other. If humans can't have power, they will respect another's power. If that leader wavers, then the power shifts and the followers will pick a better leader.