Why Is Lord Of The Flies Important

Why a Social Order is Important

A social order is a very important part of our world's society. Without any social order there would be no rules or laws. People would run rampant and there would be no punishment crimes one commits. William Golding's story Lord of the Flies conveys this idea; it shows that as time passed on the island the boys lost their sense of social responsibility and fell away from the rules of society.

At the beginning of the book the boys are all about rules “‘We’ll have rules!” he cried excitedly, “Lots of rules! Then when anyone breaks em-”’ (33). It seems like the boys will start up their own society with their own rules and leadership system. When I was reading the book I thought that they would start their own civilization

“Ralph spoke again hoarsely. He had not moved.”“‘You let the fire go out.’” (70). This statement is significant because Ralph's plan to get off the island was by keeping a fire going at all times; however , Jack decided to go hunting instead of watching the fire. Jack's response to Ralph scolding him was simply ‘“We needed meat’”. (71) Jack saying this shows that he is starting to lose his discipline and focus to get off the island all he wants to do is hunt. To me this is what really kickstarts Ralph and Jacks problems that occur later in the book.

Again in chapter four there is an example of the boys ignoring Ralph's rules; the boys want to go have fun and play in the water and hunt rather than helping Ralph, Simon, and Piggy build shelters on the beach. ‘“I was chief, and you were going to do what I said. You talk. But you cant even build huts-then you go off hunting and let out the fire.’”

“The beast struggled forward, broke the ring, and fell over the steep edge of the rock to the sand by the water. At once the crowd surged after it poured down the rock, leapt onto the beast, screamed, struck, bit, and tore. There were no words and no movement but tearing of teeth and claws” (153). The so-called “beast” in this passage from Lord of the Flies is actually Simon. They kept attacking him and ended up killing him and after that Ralph and Piggy are talking about it. ‘“That was murder.” “You stop it!” said Piggy “What good’re you doing talking like that?” He jumped to his feet and stood over Ralph. “It was dark.” “There was that-that bloody dance. There was lightning and thunder and rain.we was scared.” “I wasn't scared” said Ralph slowly “I was- I don't know what I was.” “We was scared!” said Piggy excitedly. “Anything might have happened.” “I wasn't what you said.”’ (156). In this piece of dialogue Ralph and Piggy are arguing because Piggy tries to say it wasn't murder because they were scared and didn't know it was Simon; but Ralph says that he wasn't scared and didn't know what he was