ipl-logo

Lord Of The Flies Civilization Analysis

583 Words3 Pages

I noticed the beginnings of two key themes in the first two chapters of the novel Lord of the Flies, by William Golding, civilization and strong vs. weak. First of all, when the children realize that they are isolated on the island with no adults present around them, the idea of a civilized society on the island is revealed. The beginning of civilization on the island is demonstrated as the boys vote to decide the chief of the group. Ralph and Jack are interested in the position, as the idea changes “from the general wish for a chief to an election by acclaim of Ralph himself” (18). This idea demonstrates the theme of civilization, as the boys are able to use the same method to determine a leader as they would at home, which allows the island …show more content…

For instance, Ralph indicates that he will “give the conch to the next person to speak”(31) and there will be no interruptions. To further prevent interruption, Ralph suggests that they must use “Hands up’ like at school” (31), to allow the children to further understand because it is something they are used to at school. This system suggests that the children still respect their past ways of civilization and how they plan to utilize their knowledge on the island. Furthermore, the majority of the boys are shown to have been civilized before going on the island and they lack knowledge on how to survive in the wilderness. Jack unashamedly asks if anyone has any matches, demonstrating his unawareness on how to do things without modern inventions. This shows that the boys are stronger and more confident in a civilization. When individuals are placed in new environments, they may use past experience and understanding in order to establish familiarize themselves in the new area. Secondly, the strong vs. weak theme is present as the boys’ characteristics and point of views are shared. This causes a clear separation between the two. Ralph and Piggy contrast each other to represent the difference between weak and

Show More
Related
512 Words | 3 Pages

“Witch hunt” is a phrase that is not only used to describe the historic Salem Witch Trials, but has also been used to describe more recent historical events. Joseph McCarthy’s hunt for members of the Communist party was often referred to as a “witch hunt”, as a reference to the Salem Witch Trials. Furthermore, Arthur Miller drew inspiration from Joseph McCarthy’s Communist hunts to write his novel “The Crucible”, which takes place in Massachusetts during the time of the Salem Witch Trials. With this knowledge, it is clear that there are many similarities between the Salem Witch Trials and McCarthyism. However, with the similarities come several obvious differences, such as time period and reasoning for accusations.

Read More
1244 Words | 5 Pages

“And another thing. We can’t have everybody talking at once. We’ll have to have ‘Hands up’ like at school” (Ralph 25). Once he finds out that they were all trapped on the island, Ralph immediately forms a type of society that he is used to for the boys to ensure stability. This civilization is all based on the conch shell, which is used to construct gatherings and to let the boys have permission to speak.

Read More
762 Words | 4 Pages

We’ll have to have ‘Hands up’ like at school.’” … “‘Then I’ll give him the conch… I’ll give the conch to the next person to speak. He can hold it when he’s speaking.’” (Golding, pg. 33). Ralph makes laws that resemble the civilized world that the boys have just

Read More
840 Words | 4 Pages

In addition to delegating responsibilities, Ralph also organizes an expedition to explore the uninhabited island for the purpose of discovering, if it is, in fact, uninhabited. The expedition proves successful, for the boys discover that they are on an island and therefore, they are able to act accordingly, all due to Ralph and his effective leadership. Ralph’s organized frame of mind is further illustrated when he uses the conch to give every boy a chance to speak and voice their opinions, no matter their age. “‘We can’t have everybody talking at once. We’ll have to have ‘Hands up’ like at school… I’ll

Read More
931 Words | 4 Pages

In the novel Lord of the Flies by William Golding, the theme of the absence of civilization leading to savagery is shown through Jack’s behavior, the conch shell, and the event of Simon’s

Read More
278 Words | 2 Pages

Living in a society with no rules or a governing body is all fun and games until evil rises above all and destroys civilization. Lord of the Flies, a novel written by William Golding, uses many reoccurring symbols throughout the novel that make the reader realize how surprisingly similar the novel is to the world around us. A group of young English boys are involved in a plane crash and end up stranded on an island; the island symbolizes the disintegrating outside world. The boys give it their best effort at rebuilding society on a vacant island but their intentions do not go according to plan when the boys start to lose their identity and show regressive behaviors. Throughout the book, Golding affiliates being civilized with good and being

Read More
870 Words | 4 Pages

Lord of the Flies, by William Golding, is a novel that revolves around the concept of civilization versus savagery. The boys argue about points that eventually split the boys amongst themselves. These disputes come up multiple times over the course of the novel. One of which being the fight over the leader of the boys. Some believed the leader should be Jack while others believed it should be Ralph.

Read More
904 Words | 4 Pages

In “The Lord of the Flies” by William Golding the buildup of savage behavior is present because the boys are not capable of creating an effective leadership, punishment for one another, and enforced rules. Throughout the novel Roger goes unpunished for his sadistic behavior, Ralph is constantly overtaken by Jack, and the conch is repeatedly ignored. Civilization and its rule are a desperate need for humans, when we don’t have them to support us, we end up as the one thing we all fear:

Read More
665 Words | 3 Pages

Told in the third person, the book follows a group of boys who got stuck on an island after their plane crashed, each character representing a different part of society. Slowly, as the book progresses, the boys lose more and more of their civility. The character most responsible for this transition is Jack, who represents primal instinct. He takes power away from Ralph,

Read More
709 Words | 3 Pages

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.

Read More
509 Words | 3 Pages

This shows how he does not accept that they have gone savage, even though he very strongly seems to be as the novel goes on. The novel’s base is the conflict between civilization and savagery. This can also be expressed in good vs. evil, in this case civilization representing good and savagery representing evil. Civilization is expressed as the instinct to live by rules, act smartly, do the right thing and by keeping the order of the group. Ralph represents civilization, leadership and order.

Read More
1962 Words | 8 Pages

Civilization is essential for keeping a controlled and ordered society. In the novel, Lord of the Flies, a group of young boys are deserted on an island. Their initial intent was to protect society's ways and values, but this ideal quickly came to an end. They go into savagery. With the characters, Jack, Ralph, and Piggy, William Golding demonstrates that rationality is not appreciated in society and that evil has influence over mankind.

Read More
542 Words | 3 Pages

A corrupt civilization “Which is better- to have rules and agree or to hunt and kill?”(Golding,11.180) the question raised by Piggy is central to the conflict seen in William Golding’s Lord of the Flies. Civilization is of the utmost importance in maintaining a structured and orderly society. In the novel a group of young boys is marooned on an island that has been untouched by humanity. At first they try to maintain the ideals and structures of society, however, soon this ideal is corrupted and they descend into savagery and violence.

Read More
765 Words | 4 Pages

A community can only thrive when there is a hierarchy to impose rules. In Lord of the Flies, by William Golding, a plane with a group of boys crashes on an uncharted island. The children are stranded without any adult supervision. The group attempts to form an organized society to stay alive and sane. As the novel progresses, they collectively struggle to keep order and they become savages.

Read More
758 Words | 4 Pages

William Golding’s novel Lord of the Flies is about a group of British kids who survive a plane crash and form their own civilization on an island to survive. There are many quotes about civilization, one being a famous quote from Werner Herzog, a German film director, screenwriter, actor and author. Herzog said, “Civilization is like a thin layer of ice upon a deep ocean of chaos and darkness.” This quote is saying that beneath every community is a sense of madness and insanity, but it is covered by a very small layer of controlling people or people with power. But this layer can be broken and then all hell breaks loose.

Read More

More about Lord Of The Flies Civilization Analysis

Related Topics

Open Document