Mackenzie Eaton British Literature II Mr. Sackrider 9 May 2024 Lord of the Flies Literary Analysis Instinct vs Control: Unraveling Social Boundaries What keeps the world from descending into chaos? Take a moment to look around: things are orderly and calm. But why not? Now, think about a pack of wolves. Wolves are tough hunters and can be dangerous. Now imagine a pet dog—friendly, playful, and harmless. It is common knowledge that dogs have evolved from wolves, but what's crucial to understand is that dogs have spent more time with humans. Being around humans has changed a fierce wolf into a loving pet. This comparison is like how the boys were when they first arrived on the island, starting like friendly dogs, but eventually turning into something more like fierce wolves as they …show more content…
It is meant to make smoke signals that will help get the boys rescued. Sadly, most of the boys fail to see the importance of the fire as Ralph does. Jack then, without thinking, uses the firekeepers to hunt and by the time they get back, the fire is out. Ralph at this point yells at Jack because he let the fire out and articulates that he is the sole reason why they are not getting rescued. Jack still fails to see the importance of the fire or how he did anything wrong, so Ralph exclaims to Jack that “‘There was a ship. Out there. [You] said, ‘[You would] keep the fire going and [you] let it out!’” (Golding 70). In this particular instance, the fire embodies a physical representation of the boys’ connection to civilization. Keeping that idea in mind, Ralph’s fury with Jack’s negligence towards the fire demonstrates his pragmatic attitude towards hierarchies and rules within the group; he feels that everyone must prioritize them or the group will lose their connection to society. Jack’s failure to prioritize the fire not only displays his disregard for the law, but also displays his disregard for the group’s