How Lord Of The Flies Allows The Boys To Become Savage

Themes allowing the boys to become savage.

In William Golding’s “Lord of the Flies,” the novel explores the loss of structure, the conflict of priorities, and the fear of the “beast”. All of which drives the boys into becoming more savage and violent. Golding effectively portrays how these themes change the boys' mindsets and how they choose to live on the island.

As a result of the loss of structure and rules, the boys missed their chance of rescue, the conch destroyed and felt the extreme desire to consistently hunt. In an attempt to get rescued, Ralph tells the boys to keep an eye on the signal fire, but they let it out when they choose to go hunting. Ralph exclaims “there was a ship”. Out there. You said you’d keep the fire going and you let it out” (Golding, 70)! This displays how the boys care more about killing than being rescued and how only Ralph, Piggy and Simon feel upset that they missed their chance to be saved. Similarly, the conch symbolizes order and authority is destroyed

The boys’ imagination magnifies the threat of the beast, as seen when they describe it as a “snake thing” and “beastie.” This fear fuels their paranoia and irrational behavior, causing them to lose touch with reality and resort to violence. To add, the boys’ fear leads them to lose all rational thought and give into their primal instincts. During a meeting, Ralph attempts to ease the group by saying “but there isn’t a beast” (37). However, this statement is quickly overshadowed by Jack’s manipulation of that fear. Lastly, the fear of the beast causes the ultimate act of savagery, Simon’s murder. In a state of collective hysteria, they chanted “kill the beast”. Cut his throat. Spill his blood,” mistaking Simon for the beast and slaughtering him. This event exhibits how their fear has completely overpowered their sense of humanity, turning them into savages driven by