Civilization In Lord Of The Flies Essay

664 Words2 Pages

Jack’s representation of malignant and viciousness validates that there is a dark side of human nature. As choirmaster, Jack succeeds pushing control over others, such as the choir, through his manipulative approach. He concentrates on hunting and yearns for meat. In result, his repulsive acts create a savage within. Evil is present in every single one of us and it is natural for one to do whatever it takes to stay alive. In Golding’s novel, Lord of The Flies, Golding depicts society through the group of stranded boys who are compelled to create their own representation of civilization. Though the civilized boys were born into the liberated civilization not all approach the situation with an enlightened belief. Everyone has the proposition to do great however when undermined, man can turn vicious, such as Jack. His fundamental conflicts are that people are savage by nature, and are moved by urges to dominate over others. The natural darkness in humankind brings about the breakdown of civilization, as demonstrated by Jack. Jack’s loss of innocence to savagery articulates the beginning of the breakdown of civilization. His subsequent fall into ruthlessness is established when he first spots a pig. Thought his first instinct is to draw his knife, he is unable to continue because of “the enormity of the knife descending and cutting into living flesh; because of the unbearable blood”. This displays the innocence that once existed in Jack. This shows that Jack is civilized enough to be unable to harm the pig. However, after returning from their successful hunt, Jack and the boys chant, "Kill the pig. Cut her throat. Spill her blood.” With his first butcher, Jack is trapped. Abruptly, the act of killing soon becomes an obsession and ulti... ... middle of paper ... ...and stripes him of his civilized self, making him free from disgrace. The mask also represents how civilization can be covered up or forgotten easily. Lord of The Flies reflects on the human conduct themselves on an inhabited island where rules no longer exist. Golding’s belief that human are naturally is defined as Jack breaks down the civilization. It shows that it is possible to plunge from structure to disorder when man’s actions are not kept under control. Jack’s loss of innocence played a major part in the destruction of civilization when hunting takes over the humanity of Jack. Over the course of the novel, Jack’s desire and abuse of power becomes a factor to the breakdown of Ralph’s democratic civilization. As Jack disguises himself with the mask, Jack feels he can be shame free from letting out the true beast within, who eventually destroys civilization.

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