The setting in a novel is almost as important as the characters themselves. In the novels Lord of the Flies and Old Man and the Sea, William Golding and Ernest Hemmingway use setting to isolate the characters and reveal their personalities, while providing a struggle for the main characters that further develops their true nature. In Lord of the Flies, the boys struggle to remain civilized as savagery overtakes them. In The Old Man and the Sea, Santiago struggles to catch the fish, while he remains alone at the sea. In Lord of the Flies, Golding places the boys on an uninhabited island so that their true natures can emerge. This isolated island is free from any parental rules and authority. The boys state: “there aren’t any grownups. We hall
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Eventually, the isolation and lack of rule allow Roger’s true violence to emerge when he heartlessly kills Piggy. Similarly, Jack insists on preserving the rules at the start of the novel. He demands: “We’ll have rules…lots of rules” (33). He gradually forgets the rules and becomes a savage hunter. By the end of the novel, his evil and violence emerge when he tries to kill Ralph. Throughout the novel, Ralph struggles to maintain law and order and the signal fire for rescue. However, even he gives into his violent instincts when he participates in the killing of Simon. Ralph is very disturbed: “I’m frightened. Of us. I want to go home” (157). Ralph longs for a world of law and order. Clearly, the absence of parental authority and rules allows the evil nature in many of the boys to emerge. Unlike the other boys, the isolation on the island does not affect Simon because his true nature is kind and good. The isolation on the island not only changes the boys mentally, but also physically. They are dirty, half-naked, and have long hair. Ralph recognizes how the island is physically and mentally changing them into savages. When he prepares to confront Jack he states: “supposing we go, looking like we used to, …show more content…
When Santiago gets dragged out to the sea, he only has himself to rely on. He is isolated: “Then he looked behind him and saw that no land was visible” (46). Santiago doesn’t have any outside help. He keeps wishing that he has the boy to help him, but he chastises himself for thinking about what he doesn’t have: “Now is not the time to think of what you do not have. Think of what you can do with what there is” (110). Santiago shows determination and self-reliance. Santiago is a man who works with what he has, and doesn’t waste time wishing for things. Hemmingway also uses the setting of the sea to show Santiago’s perseverance as he struggles to catch the marlin. When the old man hooks the fish, he promises never to give up: “I’ll stay with you until I am dead” (52). Santiago will undergo days of pain and suffering in order to catch the fish. The setting provides a true test of perseverance and willpower for Santiago. Santiago’s prolonged struggle is worthy of respect. The sea physically destroys him, but it makes him mentally strong. Santiago states that “a man can be destroyed but not defeated” (103). The sea defines Santiago’s character. He has a very strong connection with the sea and he respects it: “She is kind and very beautiful. But she can be so cruel” (29). Santiago admires the sea even though it has put him through a great struggle.
Eventually, the isolation and lack of rule allow Roger’s true violence to emerge when he heartlessly kills Piggy. Similarly, Jack insists on preserving the rules at the start of the novel. He demands: “We’ll have rules…lots of rules” (33). He gradually forgets the rules and becomes a savage hunter. By the end of the novel, his evil and violence emerge when he tries to kill Ralph. Throughout the novel, Ralph struggles to maintain law and order and the signal fire for rescue. However, even he gives into his violent instincts when he participates in the killing of Simon. Ralph is very disturbed: “I’m frightened. Of us. I want to go home” (157). Ralph longs for a world of law and order. Clearly, the absence of parental authority and rules allows the evil nature in many of the boys to emerge. Unlike the other boys, the isolation on the island does not affect Simon because his true nature is kind and good. The isolation on the island not only changes the boys mentally, but also physically. They are dirty, half-naked, and have long hair. Ralph recognizes how the island is physically and mentally changing them into savages. When he prepares to confront Jack he states: “supposing we go, looking like we used to, …show more content…
When Santiago gets dragged out to the sea, he only has himself to rely on. He is isolated: “Then he looked behind him and saw that no land was visible” (46). Santiago doesn’t have any outside help. He keeps wishing that he has the boy to help him, but he chastises himself for thinking about what he doesn’t have: “Now is not the time to think of what you do not have. Think of what you can do with what there is” (110). Santiago shows determination and self-reliance. Santiago is a man who works with what he has, and doesn’t waste time wishing for things. Hemmingway also uses the setting of the sea to show Santiago’s perseverance as he struggles to catch the marlin. When the old man hooks the fish, he promises never to give up: “I’ll stay with you until I am dead” (52). Santiago will undergo days of pain and suffering in order to catch the fish. The setting provides a true test of perseverance and willpower for Santiago. Santiago’s prolonged struggle is worthy of respect. The sea physically destroys him, but it makes him mentally strong. Santiago states that “a man can be destroyed but not defeated” (103). The sea defines Santiago’s character. He has a very strong connection with the sea and he respects it: “She is kind and very beautiful. But she can be so cruel” (29). Santiago admires the sea even though it has put him through a great struggle.