Lord Of The Flies Savagery Analysis

The Omnipresence of Savagery

Steven Wright, a writer, comedian, and actor, once said that “Someone asked me, if I were stranded on a desert island what book would I bring... 'How to Build a Boat’”. Unfortunately, not everyone is as rational or intelligent as Wright, and suffer as a result. In the allegorical fiction novel Lord of the Flies, William Golding depicts the gradual transition from civility to savagery of a group of British boys who have been stranded on an island. Through his portrayal of Jack and his hunters, Golding demonstrates and also improves on the philosopher Thomas Hobbes’ view that people are corrupt and are always trying to gain power, and without a proper form of government, society would fall into chaos.

Thomas Hobbes

In the beginning, when all the boys first realize that they are stranded on an island with no adult supervision, they decide to elect a ruler, but there is a small disagreement started by Jack that is, luckily for the boys, quickly resolved. Although the boys have only been away from society for a short period of time, a small power struggle is developing, which proves Hobbes’ belief that in a state of nature, everyone always wants more power than anyone else. When he and Ralph are discussing their priorities, Jack does not care to listen and an “opaque, mad look came into his eyes again” (53). This mad look exposes the true savage side in all humans that society has taught to suppress. However, as even more time passes by with no adult supervision, this part in Jack finally becomes

After being on the island for a long time, the Jack’s barbaric nature overcame his morality, which is exactly what Hobbes predicted would happen if there was no government. When Ralph dared to set foot in his camp, Jack was “vicious, [and] with full intention, he hurled his spear at Ralph” (181). Jack knew exactly what he was doing when he threw his spear at Ralph, never stopping think that Ralph was only trying to help. Hobbes explains that people always attempt to overthrow those with power through brute force or trickery. In this case, Jack hopes that, by killing the only other potential leader on the island, he can establish himself as the one with most power. By proving that people become increasingly hungry for power, Golding proves that as time passes without a proper government, society deteriorates at a faster