Table of contentsIntroductionCivilization versus savagery in “Lord of the Flies”ConclusionReferencesIntroduction“There is a fine line between civilization and savagery. To everyone who thinks they will never get through it, I can only say this, you have never known what it is like to be completely betrayed and abandoned, you cannot know how bad it is close. Powerful words spoken by Jacqueline Carey, a well-known American writer. The human mind is often occupied by two diametrically opposed instincts, both of which demand attention at different times of a person's existence. Reading William Golding's novel Lord of the Flies, audiences are challenged to take note of this often fierce dance between civilization and savagery, which is the focus of this essay. The impulsive conflict that often exists between the two emerges as an important underpinning of the novel, driving some of the boys to madness during their time on the island. Perhaps, in direct contrast to this perspective, the author instead intended to present, not an examination of civility versus savagery, but rather an opportunity to simply examine the childish behaviors of young boys growing up in a new and unfamiliar neighborhood, filled with antics and superficial alliances. With countless reference points throughout the novel, the author used the island as an isolated setting to dramatically depict the struggles between boys. The boys who must then choose between the benefits of civility or the victories of wild behavior. The establishment of agreed rules was quickly eroded by many of the boys who initially worked to establish them. The chaos and savagery that followed culminated in the seemingly senseless act of killing two young, innocent boys while on the island. Symbolically, this maniacal desire to choose the path of savagery was finally manifested in the barbaric murder of the third pig. Say no to plagiarism. Get a custom essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essayCivilization versus savagery in “Lord of the Flies”Savagery versus civilization is clearly illustrated through the establishment of rules that are rapidly eroded by a large proportion of boys who originally worked concertedly to establish them. The boys created rules to help them agree and to facilitate agreement and cooperation in reference to each boy expressing his ideas and opinions. This is confirmed by Ralph's words: "'And something else. We can't have everyone talking at once. We will have to have 'Hands up' like at school…. I'll give the conch to the next person to talk. He can hold it when he speaks. »(31) Throughout the novel, the conch comes to symbolize order, authority, and courtesy among all the boys. Boys are delighted to have rules and the indefinable power of the conch to maintain civility among its followers is clearly evident. Having these rules in place demonstrates how civilized some boys are and how Ralph and Jack allow the boys to have a say. If one of the boys has the conch, regardless of the situation, that person can speak. Additionally, just hours after establishing the conch's power, we begin to notice a change in Jack, observing his detachment from its strangling hold on his desire to extinguish any need for civility. “'I got the conch' said Piggy indignantly 'You let me talk' 'The conch doesn't count on the top of the mountain'said Jack 'then shut up.' " (42) Later in the novel, Jack continues with this theme of defiance by stating, "We don't need the conch anymore. We know who should say things...it's time some people knew to shut up and leave the deciding of things to the rest of us. » (110,111) Jack's initial desire to follow the rules with the conch now suggests something entirely different. The use of the word "shut up" shows that Jack is disinterested in respecting established rules of civility. The author thus foreshadows the way Jack will act later in the novel. The phrase "we know who should say things" shows that Jack does not want the boys to share power equally, which in the long run could lead to fierce competition between the boys. Having rules leads to a peaceful community and lets people know what should and should not happen. If the system collapses, that's when all chaos breaks loose and delinquent response patterns begin to manifest. Savagery versus civilization is also manifested through the ensuing chaos and savagery, which culminates in the murder of two innocent boys and the disappearance of a third. . As the hunters finish a feast with dancing and singing until sunset, we watch them evolve into reckless savages as they kill Simon. “Immediately the crowd rushed after her, poured themselves onto the rock, jumped on the beast, shouted, struck, bit, tore. There were no words or movements other than the pulling of teeth and claws. (169) Jack and his hunters mistook Simon for the beast because he was crawling out of the forest on all fours. After this horrible act, they no longer think about it; this shows how little courtesy Jack and his hunters have brooding towards each other. Completely contrary to this reaction, Ralph realizes that something bad happened that night, something that can never be erased from their memories. Readers see this play out in Ralph's conversation with Piggy, where these two characters discuss the night of Simon's murder, "'Piggy.' 'Uh?' “It was Simon.” “You already said that.” 'Pig.' 'Uh?' 'It was murder.' » (172) Since Ralph is still civilized, he was one of those who realized that someone had been killed, and that everyone should be responsible -- Because one of their friends was now dead. Jack and his hunters also killed Piggy in a horrible way. “At the height, Roger, with a delirious feeling of abandonment, pressed his whole weight on the outgoing…. from chin to knee….Piggy, without saying anything, without even having time to grunt, traveled through the air sideways from the rock, turning as he went (200) Piggy was killed by utter savagery. ; his death was deliberate and Jack did not regret doing it. Jack's exasperation and frustration with Piggy's need for civility, in all its forms, inevitably led him to destroy Piggy in a savage rage. This speaks to Jack's diminishing ability to maintain the level of civility he had initially demonstrated early in his time on the island. Before Piggy was killed, he and Ralph were the only two civilized boys on the island who took a stand and said what was needed and needed to be said for a long time. “Piggy shouted again: “Which is better: having rules and agreeing, or hunting and killing? Again, the clamor and again – “Zup”. Ralph shouted against the noise, "Which is better, the law and the rescue, or the hunt and the takedown?" » » (200) Ralph and Piggy are the faces of civility on the island, trying to.