Civilization Vs Savagery In Lord Of The Flies Essay

“Humankind seems to have an enormous capacity for savagery, for brutality, for lack of empathy, for lack of compassion” (Annie Lennox). In the novel Lord of the Flies, William Golding promotes the themes of civilization versus savagery, the loss of innocence that relates to our society. Golding associates the instinct of civilization with the good and the instinct of savagery with evil. Loss of innocence is a worldly theme and a theme that constructs the ideas of Lord of the Flies. In the beginning of the novel, Ralph, who is stranded on an island with his friends, “[leaps] back on the terrace, [pulls] off his shirt, and [stands] there among the skull-like coconuts with green shadows from the palms and forest sliding over his skin. He [undoes]

In the seventh chapter, the boys were chanting, “ "Kill the pig! Cut his throat! Kill the pig! Bash him in!" The chanting rose into a hunt, to kill their friend, Simon. ISIS is one of the most depraved, barbaric, and inhuman terrorist groups known to mankind. In the Middle East, they have made their name known by committing several acts such as suicide bombings and decapitating heads of Christian believers on a beach. It is such a harsh form of savagery that it has caused a threat to not only the Middle East but, the whole world. It is bizarre that they believe they will take on the world, but thankfully the United States has joined with many countries in defeating ISIS. Civilization in our world has advanced in many ways because of the human knowledge. In Paris, there was recently a suicide bombing in many parts across town and left 130 people dead and even more wounded. Many people were distraught by the actions that occurred. The government and heads of Paris reacted in such a responsive manner. They retaliated by hunting down the attackers and arresting them. The attackers now await trial. Paris showed an effective form of civilization that is positive even in a destructive time. In Lord of the Flies, Piggy has no savage feelings while Roger can't seem to comprehend the idea of civilization. It is evident that people react to barbarism, cruelty and savagery because of the effects it causes. On the other hand, civilization is done out of peace and happiness to help support and bring the country together as one by establishing laws and