The Challenge Between Civilization and Savagery in Lord of the Flies by William Golding

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In the novel Lord of the Flies by William Golding, symbolism and allegories were used to show how the children who are stranded on an island have a huge struggle with civilization and savagery. Ralph, Piggy, Jack, and Simon are the ones in the novel that struggle with this the most.
Golding wrote this story because he was horrified of Stalinism in Russia. His experience in World War II effected his view on humanity and evils that are capable of occurring. Ralph, Piggy, and Simon are manifested with the "civilizing instinct", while Jack, Roger, and the other hunters have the savage instinct. Golding also dealt with human nature. Jean-Jacques Rousseau believed that man is good, but Golding controverts his philosophy. Golding believes that man is naturally evil.
In the story, a group of boys are stranded on an island after their plane crashes in the middle of the ocean. All through out the book, the boys struggle with their morality and their human nature. The boys show Golding's concept of violent human nature in people that can become present when there is no civilization. At the beginning, everyone is more civil but as time goes on, savagery becomes more and more present in the boys. Civilization can provide a enchanting cloak to the evil nature of man.
The first child to be introduced is Ralph. Ralph is an example of a good hearted person. He also can represent order, leadership, and civilization. Ralph is charismatic and attractive. Ralph choose the meeting place, when to use fire, and to build huts. He was a true leader with the help of one person, Piggy. Throughout the book, the boys realize they need a leader , so they elect Ralph. The only reason Ralph was elected is because he had the conch, which he found o...

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...y understood only too well the liberation into savagery that the concealing paint brought" (Golding172). "You're chief, Ralph. you remember everything. I hadnt forgotten" (Golding173).
In conclusion, all of the boys go through some struggle with civilization and savagery. Jack is the one who makes the biggest change in the book. He goes from civil straight to savage. William Golding's novel "Lord of the Flies", uses symbolism and allegories to show how Ralph, Piggy, Jack, and Simon struggle with civilization and savagery.

Works Cited

"Review: Second look at William Golding's 'Lord of the Flies'." All Things Considered 29 Mar. 2004.Literature Resource Center. Web. 8 May 2014.
Anjum, Fatima, Sana Nawaz, and Muhammad Ramzan. "Loss of civilization and innocence in Lord of the Flies." Language In India Aug. 2012: 123+. Literature Resource Center. Web. 8 May 2014.

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