Piggy Lord Of The Flies Dystopian Analysis

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Dystopias are universes that often maintain the illusion of being a perfect society. Dystopian characters are one element used in dystopian novels to eliminate the illusion of a utopia. In William Golding’s Lord of the Flies, Piggy is a protagonist that reveals the islands is not a utopia. Golding uses Piggy’s conversations and interactions with others to help the audience see the negative aspects of the island that at first glance appears flawless. Firstly, the contrast between how Jack treats Piggy and Ralph shows how the characters live in a dehumanized state because of a social hierarchy. “’ You didn’t hunt.’ ‘No more did Ralph,’ said Piggy wetly”(78). In this quote Jack is refusing to give Piggy meat, but allowing Ralph to have some. They contributed the same amount, but they are being treated completely differently. The noticeable …show more content…

“Perhaps they knew where we was going to; and perhaps not. But they don’t know where we are ‘cos we never got there’” (32). This insightful quote shows that are stranded on an island with little to none hope of rescue. With this comment Piggy shatters the concept that being stuck on the island is blessing in disguise and not a curse. Knowing that rescue is unlikely turns the island from a sanctuary into a prison. This feeling of being trapped makes the island a dystopia as the kids no longer want to be on there and are searching for a way off. Up till this point the children have been blissfully unaware of the seriousness of the situation. They would have continued to be unaware if it was not for Piggy. No one else was unhappy with the island so the thought of leaving and how hopeless rescue was wouldn’t have occurred to them. In conclusion, Piggy is a dystopian protagonist that through conversation and interactions helps the audience see the island for what it truly is. Piggy’s insightful nature is necessary to turn the island from utopia to