Civilization Vs Savagery Analysis

Civilization vs Savagery

Throughout the book there are many symbols for both civilization and savagery, such being the boys and the actions that turn them savage. Civilization versus savagery is the concept of being isolated from society, and creating a new personality in order to survive in the conditions you now live in. The boys are put onto an island where resources are scarce, and they have to fend for themselves without any adults. One example of the little amount of civilization on the island is the conch shell. The conch shell is introduced at the beginning of the story when the boys first get to the island. Ralph uses it to call everyone to the platform, and later uses it to call all of the meetings. “Ralph found his
breath and blew a series of short blasts. Piggy exclaimed ‘There's one!’”(Golding 23) This is when the twins Sam and Eric come out to the platform, and other boys follow. This brings democracy to the group of boys as well because they take turns talking while holding the conch. “That's what this shell’s called. I'll give the conch to the next person to speak. He can hold it when he's speaking.”(Golding 33) This shows that the boys have some example from home on how to act or behave. The civilized characteristic doesn't last much longer after that. The boys later create a chief for the tribe. They wanted a leader who could keep the order on the island, and take care of everyone until they are rescued. The boys also wanted someone who they could talk to if something was wrong. They go on to elect Ralph as the leader of the clan. Jack becomes very bitter by this, which creates conflict. “Even the choir applauded; and the freckles on Jack’s face disappeared under a blush of mortification. He started up, then changed his mind and sat down again while the air rang. Ralph looked at him, eager to offer something.” (Golding 23) This action of the boys is very democratic yes, but it also creates tension between Jack and Ralph, which lead to destruction and the demise of many boys. You then see the beginning of savagery growing within Jack. He votes himself and his choir boys the hunters of the group. He’s set on killing a pig, and be the boy who brings home the bacon. Once he does, he has the breaking point of sanity, and loses his civilized personality from there. All of the chaos, the pain, and the eventual death of boys, commences with him putting on the war paint. “Jack planned his new face. He made one cheek and one eye-socket white, and then he rubbed red all over the other half of his face and slashed a black bar of charcoal across from right ear to left jaw.” (Golding 63) There is a bit of a historical hint with the colors that Jack uses. This story is based around WW2, and each boy represents a different country during the war. Jack is supposed to represent the Nazi Germany. The colors that Jack puts on his face are red, white, and black. The patterns that he creates on his face resemble the Nazi flag. He goes on with his insanity, and has the boys join his tribe by using fear and his uncontrolled tyranny. The savagery only spreads from there. The first example of total savagery is when the innocent character, Simon, is murdered by Jack’s tribe.
This is after Simon talks to the “Lord of the Flies”, and finds out that the “beastie” is found in each one of the boys. The “beastie” is the innate evil within every human. The pig’s head “tells” Simon this, and he feels that he should tell the other boys. “Simon’s head wobbled. His eyes were half closed as though he were imitating the obscene thing on the stick. He knew that one of his times was coming on. The Lord of the Flies was expanding like a balloon.” (Golding 143) This is when Simon finally sees the evil on their “Garden of Eden”. He goes to tell the boys, and instead of thanks, he’s greeted by the hunters, and they go on to murder him. The most innocent character is annihilated because the boys are overtaken with the savage personality. They hunted to kill the pigs, and in the end they killed one of their own. “Softly surrounded by a fringe of inquisitive bright creatures, itself a silver shape beneath the steadfast constellations, Simon’s dead body moved out toward the open sea.” (Golding 154) This isn’t the only execution conducted by Jack’s
hunters.
Piggy is considered the intelligent character of the story. He’s very close to Ralph, and uses logic to solve the problems on the island. He is the Great Britain of WW2. His glasses are what start the fire,and give hope to the boys. To spite Ralph, Jack and his heathens come and snatch Piggy’s glasses while they are asleep. Since he couldn’t see, Piggy told Ralph that he wanted to get his glasses back like a civilized person. “I don’t ask you to be a sport, I’ll say, not because you’re strong, but because what’s right’s right. Give me my glasses, I’m going to say- you got to!” (Golding 171) He then went to Jack like he said he would, and he asked for his glasses back. Jack merely jeers and mocks Piggy, and how he acts. Roger then throws a rock at Piggy, and kills him. “ Piggy fell forty feet and landed on his back across the square red rock in the sea. His head opened and stuff came out and turned red. Piggy’s arms and legs twitched a bit, like a pig’s after it had been killed.” (Golding 181) Jack had yet again murdered another boy who had come to the island with them. The final piece of order and civilization was destroyed with Piggy.
The thing that lets all heck brake loose, is the thing that created order at the beginning of the story.
The conch shell. Piggy is holding the symbol of democracy when he is hit with the boulder. The conch shell breaking is the symbol of all order ending because the savagery has won over the boys. Roger, who is the symbol of all evil, or the devil, breaks the conch letting Jack believe he has won over Ralph. The savagery had already won over the simplicity of innocence, and now it rules over the fact of intelligence as well. “The rock had struck Piggy a glancing blow from chin to knee; the conch exploded into a thousand white fragments and ceased to exist.” (Golding 181) Jack then goes after the person he thinks is his mortal enemy, and who was against him since the beginning. “Viciously, with full intention, he hurled his spear at Ralph. The point tore the skin and flesh over Ralph’s ribs, then sheared off and fell in the water.” (Golding 181) This is the ultimate point of savagery since Jack goes on to set the island on fire.
The difference between civilization and savagery is where the person is, and how they act in said environment. The boys were split with their reactions on the island. Ralph, Piggy, and Simon were very adaptable to the island. Roger, Samneric, Jack, and the other hunters wanted to kill for fun and became savage. As soon as the adults come to get the boys, they go back to being civil for the most part. Jack goes insane, and kills the boys that he came on
the island. In the end, he let savagery take over and take over his mind. This kills two boys, and changes the personalities of the boys forever.