Main Theme of the Novel Lord of the Flies
Lord of the Flies is a novel by William Golding that explores the conflict between civilization and savagery, which represents the competing impulses within human beings. On one hand, there is the instinct to live by rules, act peacefully, follow moral commands, and prioritize the good of the group. On the other hand, there is the instinct to gratify immediate desires, act violently to obtain power over others and enforce one's will. This conflict can be expressed as civilization vs. savagery, order vs. chaos, reason vs. impulse, law vs. anarchy, or the broader concept of good vs. evil. Throughout the novel, Golding associates civilization with good and savagery with evil. The clash between these two instincts drives the narrative, as the young English boys gradually abandon their civilized and moral behavior, adapting to wild and barbaric life in the jungle.
The novel is an allegory, conveying its main ideas and themes through symbolic characters and objects. The conflict between civilization and savagery is represented through the main characters: Ralph, who embodies order and leadership, and Jack, who symbolizes savagery and the desire for power. Golding shows how different individuals experience the influences of civilization and savagery to varying degrees. Piggy, for instance, lacks savage tendencies, while Roger seems barely capable of understanding civilized rules. However, Golding suggests that the instinct of savagery is more primal and inherent in human nature than the instinct of civilization. He portrays moral behavior as something imposed by civilization rather than a natural expression of individuality. When left to their own devices, people naturally regress to cruelty, savagery, and barbarism. This notion of innate human evil is central to Lord of the Flies and is expressed through powerful symbols such as the beast and the sow's head on the stake. Among the characters, only Simon seems to possess a sense of natural, innate goodness.
Another prominent theme in the novel is the loss of innocence. As the boys progress from well-behaved, longing-for-rescue children to cruel and bloodthirsty hunters who have no desire to return to civilization, they gradually lose their innocence. This loss is not portrayed as something imposed upon them but as a natural result of their growing openness to the innate evil and savagery that already exists within them. Golding suggests that while civilization can mitigate innate evil, it can never fully eliminate it. The forest glade, where Simon sits in Chapter 3, symbolizes this loss of innocence. Initially a place of beauty and peace, the glade becomes disrupted when Simon discovers the bloody sow's head impaled on a stake—an image representing the innate human evil that disrupts childhood innocence.
The struggle to build civilization forms the primary conflict in Lord of the Flies. Ralph and Piggy prioritize structure, rules, and maintaining a signal fire, while Jack favors hunting, violence, and fun over safety, protection, and future planning. Initially, the boys agree to abide by Ralph's rules and democratic decision-making. However, they find it difficult to maintain an orderly society on the island. They are unwilling to help construct shelters, maintain the signal fire, or take care of the younger boys. The immediate pleasure and visceral rewards of hunting, chanting, and dancing around the fire become more enticing than the work required to establish a sustainable society. Towards the end of the novel, even Ralph is tempted by Jack's authoritarian regime forgetting about rescue.
Lord of the Flies also explores the inherent evil in humanity. The fact that the main characters are young boys suggests that even children have the potential for evil within them. Jack becomes obsessed with hunting and violence while Ralph tries to uphold order and civility. Jack's desire for control and domination overrides his capacity for empathy intellect and civilization turning him into a brutal leader. Even Ralph and Piggy who strive to maintain their humanity ultimately participate in Simon's murder momentarily succumbing to violence and collective hysteria. While Piggy tries to deny their involvement Ralph is devastated when he realizes that he possesses darkness within himself.
However, Simon represents resistance against inherent violent tendencies. Simon is peaceful moral individualistic helpful insightful throughout the story He never engages in savagery He recognizes that the beast is not a physical entity but a representation of darkness and brutality within the boys themselves After a terrifying encounter with Lord Flies Simon identifies parachutists as a symbol fear boys as agents of evil . He tries to convey this revelation to others but is tragically beaten to death by boys frenzy of excitement fear
Lord Flies also delves into the dangers of mob mentality novel portrays terrifying scenes of violence and torture highlighting the perils of individuals forming a mob Early on boys chant Kill pig Cut her throat Spill her blood after a successful hunt turning the violent act into a celebratory ritual By acting like a mob they commit increasingly heinous crimes convincing themselves violence justified perceived threat beast Similarly boys use warpaint conceal individual identities evade personal responsibility Ralph Piggy Samneric both fear envy liberation savagery demonstrated hunters Their desire belong, group, leads them voluntarily participate ritualistic dance brutal killing Simon mob's shared irrational fear inclination towards violence culminate devastating act extreme cruelty
Lastly, Lord Flies explores the concept war impact on future mankind Set during a global conflict novel presents a glimpse of society attempting to rebuild after a catastrophic man-made disaster boys' struggle to establish new order island reveals their inability to reach a consensus ultimately descending savagery Ralph comes to realize social order fairness and thoughtfulness hold little value world basic survival constant struggle arrival parachutist serves reminder while boys strive to survive peacefully island outside world remains embroiled war Even their isolation youth boys cannot escape violence They descend into torture murder they mirror war-torn world surrounding them
Overall Lord Flies explores profound themes such as a conflict between civilization savagery loss of innocence struggle to build civilization inherent evil mankind's dangers mob mentality impact on war future of humanity William Golding's novel presents a thought-provoking examination of human nature fragility and societal structures.
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