William Golding Lord Of The Flies Argument Analysis

Magyari 1
Bradley Magyari

Mr.Murray

ENG2Dam

28th April 2023

The Descent from Civilization, Into savagery in William Golding’s, Lord of the Flies

Although some may argue that savagery is not what the boys succumb to in William Golding’s, Lord of the Flies, due to the Inherent evil and uncivilized nature present in all of the boys, the boys are not able to maintain society and give in to savagery. The first of the three arguments for the inevitability of savagery within the boys, is even if a necessary goal is in mind to survive, individuals eventually fail to achieve this goal.
The first of the three examples with this argument present, is during the boys early days on the island, as it shows the laziness and lack of concern of the

The first example that supports this argument is when Jack gives a gift to the beast, despite the beast being the division and evil of the island, “Sharpen a stick at both ends. This head is for the beast, it's a gift. (Golding 150-51)” Stated by Jack, he wants his crew to sharpen a stick at both ends, and then place it in the ground with a pig head on top of the stick. This would be used as a gift to the beast, which shows the symbolic significance of the pig head, as it's the first instance that the beast is being praised and embraced as something good, which shows the savage symbolism of the pig head. The second example is when Simon comes into contact with the pig head, or as he calls it, the Lord of the Flies, “Fancy thinking the Beast as something you could hunt and kill! Said the head. For a moment or two the forest and all the other dimly apprenticed places echoed with the parody of laughter. You knew, didn't you? I'm part of you? Close, close, close! I'm the reason why it's no go? Why things are what they are?(Golding 158)”. The Lord of the Flies states that he is a part of Simon, and it is why things are the way they are, which relates to the savagery within all the boys, and division of the island, which shows the

The teeth grinned, the empty sockets seemed to hold his gaze masterfully and without effort. What was it? The skull regarded Ralph like one who knows all the answers and won't tell. (Golding 205)”. Declared by Ralph, he believes the skull has something to do with everything that's happening, but does not know how, by the line of, “The skull regarded Ralph as one who knows all the answers and won't tell”. Despite Ralph not knowing any previous knowledge about the skull, he knows that its significance is important to the events taking place, and about to take place on the island, as he thinks the skull knows something he does not, which shows the uncivilized symbolism within the pig