Civilization Lord Of The Flies Quote Analysis

“Civilization begins with order, grows with liberty, and dies with chaos.” This quote is by Will Durant, it relates to how Ralph tries to keep all the boys civil. In the novel Lord of the Flies, by William Golding, the kids try to maintain civilization by using the conch, but as the book progresses, Jack and his tribe rebel. By rebelling, they become savage because there are no rules or orders. With no rules or orders, it is hard to sustain a civil society. When the kids use the conch they stay civilized, but as the story evolves, they began disrespecting the conch, and start becoming savage as a result. In the novel Lord of the Flies, by William Golding, the children use the conch to call order, gain leadership, and remain civil, reflecting the idea that to keep civilization there must be rules. At the beginning of the novel, the kids are able to stay tame by using the conch as a tool for rules and order. When Ralph and Piggy first find the conch, they immediately think of
it as a way of direction."We can use this to call the others. Have a meeting. They'll come when they hear us." (16) Instantly the boys know that they will use the conch as a way to represent community. They are mature by setting regulations in order to cooperate. The boys used the conch as a speaking tool, whoever had possession of it was the only one allowed to speak. When a young boy with a mulberry colored birthmark on his face had something to say, Piggy wanted the boy to speak. “Let him have the conch!” (35). In this quotation, Piggy shouts this because he thinks the boy deserves a chance to speak. The boys can discuss in an organized manner by using the conch as a tool. As the novel continues, civilization starts to wear off and transition slowly into savage behavior. When someone holds the conch, they are the only ones allowed to talk, giving them leadership in keeping civilized. “Shut up.” (22). Ralph says this and it is portraying how the kids are abusing the reason that they are using the conch, to keep mature behavior. Instead, Ralph is showing how they are shifting their behavior into a savage manner. When the boys are starting to recognize what it will take to get rescued, they discuss what needs to happen. “We got to have rules and obey them.” (42) This quotation shows irony and controversy because Jack is the one that does not stay civilized. Although it is true, Jack disregards this idea and is starting to become unmindful of what matters and what does not. Near the end of the novel, using the conch becomes unimportant to some, turning them almost completely savage and violent.
When the rock struck Piggy killing him, it also crushed the conch, Jack and his tribe think nothing about it. “See? See? That’s what you'll get? I meant that! There isn’t a tribe for you any more! The conch is gone--” (181) In this quotation, Jack says this to Ralph and it shows how they don’t care about the conch or civilization. Since the conch is gone, all civilization is gone and has been replaced by dissension and there is no worthy or strong leadership. When Ralph is trying to think of what to do when he finds out that Jack and his tribe are going to kill him, he thinks about how chaos prevailed. “There was no Piggy to talk sense. There was no solemn assembly for debate nor dignity of the conch.” (196) Without the conch, there was not even a bit of civil behavior left in Jack or his tribe. This fierce behavior is so intense it has caused murder in young
children. In the novel Lord of the Flies, by William Golding, the children gain leadership and use rules through using order to keep civilization. Without laws and orders in the world, there would be much more chaos throughout it like more murders and crimes. In this case, the children in the Lord of the Flies end up not caring about the conch which was basically the only way they were able to stay civilized. Their only way they would be rescued was by using the conch and respecting it the whole time they were on the island. Even though the boys were luckily rescued, if the boys had used the conch the entire time, their stay would have been more productive to what mattered.