The Deterioration of the Sense of Order on the Island over the Course of Golding's Lord of the Flies

The Deterioration of the Sense of Order on the Island over the Course of Golding's Lord of the Flies

The theme of order in "Lord of the Flies" is one of the main themes in

the novel and is a topic of much discussion. One could relate this

topic to mankind, as there is a parallel between the world of the

island and the world the boys left behind; we can say that the island

is a microcosm of the real world. Throughout the novel, the sense of

order seems to decline as the boys spend longer away from their homes.

This is due to a number of reasons, for example, panic, homesickness,

and the idea that a beast is on the island

At the beginning, the boys show signs of order by using the conch,

holding regular meetings, electing a leader, or a "chief", and by

having rules. Over the course of the novel, these signs of order

deteriorate due to several factors: Ralph's leadership seems to

deteriorate over the course of the novel. From the beginning, Golding

portrays Ralph as the most natural leader by describing him as a

"boxer" and someone who has "eyes that proclaim no evil". Ralph is fit

and has optimistic views, which he displays when talking to piggy at

the beginning of the novel. He thinks that "[his dad] is in the navy

[and he will] come and rescue us". These optimistic views from the

so-called "natural leader" are immature and irrational. Piggy is

portrayed as the person who should really be the leader due to his

rational thinking which is shown when he "took off his shoes and socks

and ranged them carefully on the platform". The reason why Piggy is

not the leader is that he lacks in self-confidence. If Piggy spoke

more and made his poi...

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...nd proves to be in chapter five where

the fear of the beast increases dramatically and explodes. The split

between the two groups becomes more evident in this chapter as the

beast takes the form of a "sea monster". This idea of a "monster"

rising from the sea shows that it really arises form the unconscious

minds of the children.

The deaths on the island also contribute to the fall of order within

the group.

Personally, I believe that the sense of order deteriorates due to

several factors including the jealousy of Jack and the belief of a

"beast-thing". I think that Golding is telling the reader about

mankind and civilisation, such that if there were no civilisation in

the world, mankind would create chaos. This is exactly what the boys

show in the novel, and I think it is an effective message from

Golding.