Rules In William Golding's Lord Of The Flies

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When a group of little kids get together with no rules to harness them, someone always gets hurt. Without rules, there is no order. No one is able to take control of the situation. When rules are not followed, democracy falls to anarchy. In the novel Lord of the Flies, William Golding explores how a group of schoolboys are able to adapt to an isolated environment after being shot down from the sky. They are forced to create and abide by their own rules. Through his characters, Golding demonstrates that rules are critical for a society to function. Throughout the story, Piggy shows that laws and regulations are necessary for a society to function. His attempts to hold a position of power constantly demonstrates that rules are pivotal to …show more content…

Everyone except Ralph, Piggy, and Samneric join because they believe it is ‘“just for some meat- And for hunting’’ said Ralph wisely, ‘‘and for pretending to be a tribe, and putting on war paint” (Golding 188). Jack’s tribe cares little about the regulations necessary for a society to function. All they want to do is hunt and pretend to be warriors. Jack supports this savage way of life instead of instilling rules that will make everyone safe and giving them an important role in the tribe. Jack’s non-existent rules are a way for him and his tribe to pretend like they can hide behind a mask and take away the boys ability to function as members of a civil society. Towards the end of the story, the lack of laws take a toll on all the boys on the island: “The breaking of the conch and the deaths of Piggy and Simon lay over the island like vapor. These painted savages would go further and further” (236). The breaking of the conch and the loss of two boys are prime examples as to why a society cannot function without rules. The rule of the conch was the first rule established by the assembly. Breaking the conch led to the end of civility on the island. People’s voices can no longer heard. Jack’s philosophy of having no rules is ultimately what kills Piggy and Simon.The boys would continue to harm others because without rules, they cannot be controlled. Their deaths give Jack more power and therefore