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How Does Golding Present The Conflict Between Civilization And Savagery In Lord Of The Flies

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Olivia Keys
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May 15th
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“He who would live must fight. He who doesn’t wish to fight in this world, where permanent struggle is the law of life, has not the right to exist.” This is a quote written by Adolf Hitler in his novel Mein Kampf. A similar mindset can be found in the mind of the character Jack Merridew in William Golding's novel Lord of the Flies. Throughout his novel, Golding utilizes the differing personalities of the characters to represent the theme of conflict between civilization and savagery in the novel and how it strongly resembles the strengths and weaknesses of World War II. These characters illustrate how a society, both fiction and nonfiction, …show more content…

Ralph, Piggy, and Simon are three characters who truly bring out these themes. Ralph represents the characteristic of being orderly and strategic. He makes a continuous attempt to keep order around the island and prioritizes being saved, rather than hunting and having fun. During one of the tribe's earlier meetings, Ralph makes points on the fact that they need specific “people for looking after the fire.” so that they can be saved by an incoming ship (Golding 42). He also makes it a fact to “have more rules” so that the island remains organized. (Golding 42). His constant effort to keep the fire going and his reiteration of the importance of the speaker with the conch shows that Ralph is a strong representation of what it means to be civilized. His leadership qualities would have guided the members of the island to a more successful life, emphasizing the theme that reliable leaders create a reliable society. These attributes that he holds strongly represent the actions of President Franklin Roosevelt throughout World War II. Much like Ralph, Roosevelt also tried to keep things in order at times of struggle. In addition to Ralph, Piggy also is an individual who brings out a key attribute to the …show more content…

Piggy appears to be the only member of the group who can completely think logically when difficult decisions need to be made. This is due to the fact that he adds scientific expertise to the group. One of the most difficult decisions of the group is the agreement of the existence of the Beast. Piggy knows that “there isn’t no beast” because that would not be scientifically possible. However, he does realize that the fear of the Beast is simply because the group is “frightened of people”, also known as themselves (Golding 84). Because of his abundant knowledge, Piggy remains more calm and sane than the rest as this assures him that the Beast isn't real. Therefore, Piggy represents the idea that having some logic in a society's solutions can be very useful. Finally, a society must have a sense of peace to truly survive. Throughout all of the chaos in the novel, Simon finds a clearing in the forest where he can feel at peace. His ability to keep

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While Piggy faces difficulties due to his looks, he also possesses strength because of his mind. His ability to come up with ideas keeps the society together and running. “‘Ralph!’ Ralph looked up. ‘We can use this to call the others.

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Insert Creative Title Here In the dystopian novel Lord of the Flies by William Golding, shows the importance of civilization and the dangers of evil inside all of us. There are difficult factors within ourselves we have to face. Everyone has the ability of good and evil, anyone can be tempted to cross each line when pressured by a situation; this reveals itself in the novel through major characters such as Jack, Ralph and Piggy.

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Throughout the novel, Piggy is presented as the civilized voice of reason in society. Piggy presents several ideas that become “law” in the society that

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In the end Ralph starts to act like Piggy. Ralph is strong and kind of a bully to Piggy at the beginning. He was the other civilized character. At the beginning, Ralph uses a conch shell to call a meeting of all the boys (p 17). He organizes what will be done after he is voted to be the chief (p 23).

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840 Words | 4 Pages

Ralph also illustrates his organized frame of mind when he establishes a division of labor on the island. “‘Three of us will go on an expedition and find out [if they’re on an island]. I’ll go [Ralph], and Jack and… Simon.’” (Golding 20). Like most elected officials, Ralph quickly realizes that he has responsibilities: to feed, to protect and to delegate.

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This displays how Piggy is sagacious and knowledgeable, by giving accommodating propositions in a time of desperate need when the rest of the boys are quite lost and do not quite know what to do, for he is the only one smart enough to dare and bring up such an idea. Suggesting rational solutions and helping the boys find a way by using his intellectuality, to create smoke, exhibits his insightful collaboration in order to get rescued. Another example that demonstrates Piggy is incisive is when he declares, “You have doctors for everything, even the inside of your mind. You don’t really mean that we got to be frightened all the time of nothing? Life…is scientific, that’s what it is.

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Piggy is the only voice of reason as well as the only

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522 Words | 3 Pages

All throughout the book Piggy is faced with many challenges where most people would act in a bad manner, although Piggy is always responding very appropriately and does not act wrongly against the other. All these examples show how Piggy

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941 Words | 4 Pages

Piggy exemplifies the fact that being a leader does not require physical abilities or being a likable person, such as Ralph. In fact, Piggy acted as Ralph’s voice of reason and worked together whenever it was possible. Ralph’s leadership proved to be an extension of Piggy’s actions due to his accepting and embracing of Piggy’s ideas and recognizing the intellectual likenesses. In the text, he proposed a great number of ideas and even the smallest of decisions, all of which benefit the well-being of the boys on the island. “‘We got no fire on the mountain.

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Ralph and Piggy held onto order, with the death of Piggy “Ralph wept for the end of innocence, the darkness of man’s heart and [...] the true, wise friend called Piggy.” (Pg. 202) Chaos and savagery show the true darkness of man’s heart, bringing out the ugliest within us. This is a powerful ending to a meaningful book that wraps multiple themes into one statement. Including darkness of man’s heart and that order is chosen. We weren’t born in tuxedo’s, our appearance show’s how we have chosen to live our lives.

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A theme that arises around Piggy is the realists in the world are unheard when other people are overwhelmed by an inner evil. In the beginning, Piggy tries to make his name known but Ralph does not care and he calls him the one name he does not want to be called, which is Piggy. Piggy is seen as weak by the other boys because he is fat and has asthma. An example of Piggy being an unheard realist is when he is trying to get the attention of the boys and it is very hard when he finally gets their attention he tells them they need to build shelters and get rescued and points out that no one paid any attention to the ‘littluns’. Throughout the book, Piggy is a reminder of being rescued.

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In Lord of the Flies, Golding explores the idea that human nature, when left without the regulations of society, will become barbaric. As one of the prevailing themes in his work, the dark side of human nature is represented through the novel, not only in symbols and motifs, but in his characters as well. The dark side of human nature is an integral part of the novel 'Lord of the Flies.' William Golding, a British novelist employs symbols, motifs and characters to create the idea that human nature, without civilisation will become barbaric.

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Analysis of Piggy in Lord of the Flies Though physically vulnerable and socially inept, Piggy stands as the voice of reason and is the last sense of rationality and innocence among the boys. Though Piggy shows signs of low self esteem and is frequently made fun of, he is intelligent and good natured. Though he acts as Ralph’s advisor and is the most intelligent of the boys, he is often overlooked and his comments are often disregarded. Piggy represents intelligence and civilization, but also is a symbol of reason and innocence. Piggy may well be one of the most important people among the island, but is suppressed by the others, who never realize what great significance he has.

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Piggy’s personality nevertheless further enables him to resolve conflicts the boys may face on the islands. As Piggy tries to assist the boys on the island and sort out any issues or conflict with his rationality, the word logical is surely the most fitting trait . Piggy’s character in the novel thinks with

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Throughout the book Piggy was the one character that always strived for a good society so that everyone would remain good as a whole. As an example “Piggy was so full of delight and expanding liberty in Jack’s departure, so full of pride in his contribution to the good of society, that he helped to fetch wood” (Chapter 8, Page 129). Piggy still with a reasonable mind is still trying to convince others to do good also. He stated “Which is better--to have to be a pack of painted indians like you are, or to be sensible like Ralph is?” (Chapter 11, Page 180).

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