Civility And Savagery In Lord Of The Flies

Bernadette Ayers Mr. DiLeo Honors 1 5, June 2024 Civility and Savagery in Lord of the Flies In William Golding's chilling novel Lord of the Flies, a group of boys stranded on a deserted island descend into chaos, revealing the dark underpinnings of human nature. Set against the backdrop of a fictional wartime evacuation, the story explores themes of civilization, order, and the inherent evil within humanity. Through the contrasting characters of Ralph, Piggy, Simon, and Jack, Golding masterfully illustrates the delicate balance between societal structure and primal instinct. In Lord of the Flies, Ralph's leadership and desire for order symbolize a structured society, Piggy's intellect and vulnerability show the need for social rules, Simon's

Ralph is chosen as a leader because, as stated in Lord of the Flies, “there was a stillness about [him] as he sat that marked him out: there was his size, and attractive appearance; and most obscurely, yet most powerfully, there was the conch. The being that had blown that, had sat waiting for them on the platform with the delicate thing balanced on his knees, was set apart” (Golding 22). Ralph is different from the others and is chosen as a leader, a crucial role in a civilized society. Ralph’s calm manner and use of the conch that summons the boys together demonstrates a level of civility necessary for problem-solving. Upon Ralph’s election as group leader, Jack is angry because he wants to be the leader. Ralph is willing to compromise and negotiate a truce with Jack by saying, “‘The choir belongs to you, of course.’ ‘They could be the army—hunters—’” (Golding 19). Ralph is willing to agree to keep civilized peace. Ralph is also reasonable, which is a sign of civilized

Jack’s behavior shifts the group's focus from a unified goal of survival and rescue to viewing each other as enemies. As savagery overtakes group members, the rules are abandoned, and the boys lose the structured society they set out to create, resulting in chaos. The societal chaos exhibited in Lord of the Flies is an unfortunate reality in many of today’s societies. In Lord of the Flies, William Golding demonstrates how a society becomes barbaric when individuals lose their sense of right and wrong. Golding communicates to the reader how the setting of the uninhabited jungle island governed by children provides a backdrop that highlights humankind's innermost traits by presenting the overwhelming challenges of survival and rescue. The obstacles the characters face require responsibility and morality. Some characters rise to the occasion and demonstrate cultured behaviors governed by reason and decency, while others showcase savagery commanded by feelings and indecency. The novel’s characters symbolize the ongoing issues of good versus evil, morality versus immorality, and civility versus savagery, making the Lord of the Flies relevant and