Adversity is presented in many forms during ‘Lord of the Flies’ for the main character Ralph. It comes not only in the form of other people but a corruption of what society the boys on the island have managed to hold onto.
One of the strongest forms of adversity came in the form of a strong and outspoken boy Jack; Jack often overwhelms and disregards things that Ralph, the chief of the boys on the island, has said to be done. Ralph, we can see, struggles to hold his control over the group of boys when Jack refuses to believe the importance of these jobs. Ralph’s biggest struggle against adversity against Jack happens during a time of panic and distress. We know he struggles for power as Jack ‘interrupted’ him, use of the word ‘interrupt’ shows that there is no respect between the two of them. As there is no respect, especially for the chief of the tribe, it causes adversity between the more outspoken members of the tribe and Ralph because they believe they can override his authority. Here Golding explores adversity through his language choices. His language choices can be very important when portraying adversity within the group of boys; certain words portray different levels of adversity for example ‘mutinously’ shows that there is a high level of adversity as the boys are unhappy with the situation they are in.
Golding also explored adversity through the emotional turmoil of being on an adult-less island. Without adults, the children have no boundaries and therefore have to understand for themselves the boundaries of adult life; what is socially acceptable and unacceptable. They did this by making mistakes and learning from them, they do everything they to keep what society has instilled upon them; with rules and roles in their society. They have had to grow up and overcome the adversity by becoming adults and learning to survive and fend for themselves and