Lord of the Flies, a fantasy novel written by William Golding, is driven by the consideration of human evil and savagery within. This complex topic is a recurring theme throughout the short novel, best exemplified by glimpses of ungoverned human nature displayed by the boys on the island. Without the rules and values of society, a person’s inner evil and savagery can be unleashed. Throughout Golding’s novel, an imagined beast is mentioned by the boys. The first reference to beast is seen in chapter one. “Within the diamond haze of the beach something dark was fumbling along...Then the creature stepped from the mirage on to clear sand, and they saw that the darkness was not all shadow but mostly clothing” (Golding 19). The arrival of Jack Merridew
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In chapter four, it states, “Roger stooped, picked up a stone, aimed, and threw it at Henry — threw it to miss. The stone, that token of preposterous time, bounded five yards to Henry's right and fell in the water. Roger gathered a handful of stones and began to throw them. Yet there was a space round Henry, perhaps six yards in diameter, into which he dare not throw. Here, invisible yet strong, was the taboo of the old life. Round the squatting child was the protection of parents and school and policemen and the law” (Golding 62). This quote represent the boys’ civilization hanging on a thread. It still early enough in the novel to bind them to the rules of society, not yet allowing them to become savages. Roger's inner, savage nature desperately wants to throw the rock at Henry, but he remains in conflict with the values of the civilized world he’s left …show more content…
In chapter eight, Simon becomes weary of the boys due to their destructive ways after sacrificing a pig to the beast. This is shown by the quote: “The half shut eyes were dim with infinite cynicism of adult life” (Golding 137). The statement refers to the fact that the pig’s head represents the evil inside of all people. This evil is a problem all the boys have been battling with. The boys have to grow up rather quickly on the island because there are no adults, so the evilness comes out in them faster than it would’ve if they were in society and civilization. Simon realizes that knowing there is an evilness inside of each person is the first step in preventing that evilness from coming out. He sees that if they are aware of the fact that evil resides in them, they can prevent it from showing and ultimately stop the
In chapter four, it states, “Roger stooped, picked up a stone, aimed, and threw it at Henry — threw it to miss. The stone, that token of preposterous time, bounded five yards to Henry's right and fell in the water. Roger gathered a handful of stones and began to throw them. Yet there was a space round Henry, perhaps six yards in diameter, into which he dare not throw. Here, invisible yet strong, was the taboo of the old life. Round the squatting child was the protection of parents and school and policemen and the law” (Golding 62). This quote represent the boys’ civilization hanging on a thread. It still early enough in the novel to bind them to the rules of society, not yet allowing them to become savages. Roger's inner, savage nature desperately wants to throw the rock at Henry, but he remains in conflict with the values of the civilized world he’s left …show more content…
In chapter eight, Simon becomes weary of the boys due to their destructive ways after sacrificing a pig to the beast. This is shown by the quote: “The half shut eyes were dim with infinite cynicism of adult life” (Golding 137). The statement refers to the fact that the pig’s head represents the evil inside of all people. This evil is a problem all the boys have been battling with. The boys have to grow up rather quickly on the island because there are no adults, so the evilness comes out in them faster than it would’ve if they were in society and civilization. Simon realizes that knowing there is an evilness inside of each person is the first step in preventing that evilness from coming out. He sees that if they are aware of the fact that evil resides in them, they can prevent it from showing and ultimately stop the