Loss Of Innocence In 'Lord Of The Flies'

Kendra Bordner

Mrs. Vorhis

English 9B

9 January 2023

The Loss of Innocence

After the conclusion of World War II, war was on the minds of everyone and ten years later that was still the case. The processes and pitfalls of how people became leaders and separated into smaller groups was the focus of William Golding’s novel The Lord of the flies. Golding places a group of young boys on a deserted island without any parental guidance. This creates conflict within individuals, especially when the children need guidance and examples to learn what is socially acceptable behavior. William Golding also explores the deterioration of human behavior when there are no clearly defined rules, boundaries, or supervision. Jack, the narcissistic antagonist in

This is evident in Jack’s description “Inside the floating cloak he was tall, thin, and bony; and his hair was red beneath the black cap. His face was crumpled and freckled, and ugly without silliness, out of this face started two light blue eyes. (Golding 20)” Jack’s description portrays youth and innocence. Jack is shown as being a young boy who has not yet been influenced by the lack of rules and boundaries. In addition, Jack demonstrates a choleric temperament when he addresses Piggy rudely and “Jack dragged his eyes away from the fire.” and says “You’re always scared. Yah- Fatty! (Golding 45)” Even though the boys need to focus on being rescued, Jack ignores the necessity of the fire and focuses on his own desire to hunt. Jack gradually becomes more and more inpatient and self-centered by ignoring the needs of others, when he says, “Let’s be moving,” said Jack relentlessly,” We’re wasting time.” ... “Sucks to the littluns. (Golding 101)” Even though there are little children who need help from the older boy’s Jack finds them useless and wants to leave them

This is evident when Jack uses clay to paint his face, as “Jack, his face smeared with clay reached the top first and hailed Ralph excitedly, with lifted spear. (Golding 69)” Jack hides behind the desire not only to become a better hunter but instead hide from himself and the innocence he once had by taking the life of the pig. Jack is then able to experience the thrill of being a savage. Jack starts to find more and more pleasure in the savagery of the hunt when “I cut the pigs throat,” said Jack, proudly, and yet twisted… “There was lashing of blood,” said Jack, laughing and shuddering, “you should have seen it. (Golding 69)” Jack continues to find more and more pleasure in the primitive desire to hunt. The hunt comes to a ghastly conclusion with the demise of the pig “Jack held up the head and jammed the soft throat down on the pointed end of the stick which pierced through into the mouth. (Golding 136)” This is the final step Jack took in the loss of his