What Is The Significance Of Chapter Eleven Of Lord Of The Flies

In chapter eleven of William Golding’s Lord of the Flies, there is a passage included that emphasizes as the boys stay longer on the island, the urge to abandon their morality becomes stronger and society is losing its influence upon the boys. Piggy, Ralph, and Samneric are discussing traveling to Castle Rock to retrieve Piggy’s stolen glasses when Samuel complains that, unlike Jack’s tribe, Ralph’s tribe remains unpainted. Ralph reiterates the fact that his tribe will remain unpainted as the consequences of putting on the paint would be suicidal. The narrator says, “The others nodded. They understood only too well the liberation into savagery that the concealing paint brought” (172). Using the word “liberation” emphasizes the difficulty of

Additionally, with this masking of true character, the boys are open to new ways how to perceive various experiences and create new personalities. Psychologically, they are being freed from society and the influences it has had upon the boys. If Ralph and the others were to paint themselves, the chance to become rescued becomes slim as Jack does not believe in maintaining a steady smoke signal. Ralph is adamant that his tribe will not paint themselves because he realizes the fatal effects it will have on not just his tribe, but on all of the stranded boys. If Ralph were to allow himself and his tribe members to paint themselves, it would be similar to opening Pandora’s box as uncertainties and evil will be unleashed. Putting on the paint can be compared to applying makeup on your face. The intention of makeup is to enhance physical beauty and mask any imperfections, just like the intention of the paint is to disguise the boys so they do not see the young British boys they once were. Since becoming stranded on the island, the boys have been transformed from good kids into the ugly that is within us