Examples Of Savagery In Lord Of The Flies

The Proof of Savagery
When we first open our eyes to this vast world, we are simultaneously introduced to a civilized society. We are taught in school to do the right things and avoid wrong behavior: respect and consideration is crucial, harassment and bullying is unacceptable. But, what if we are placed on a deserted island, where there are no pre-established rules or norms for us to follow and stick to? Does our human nature reveal itself then? Do we start to believe in survival of the fittest, thus lose all sense of reason and pity? Do we forget all the rules of society civilization? In Lord of the Flies by William Golding, a group of boys are forced to learn to live harmoniously after a plane crash, which lands them in a foreign
Golding introduces the stark contrast between civilization and savagery and how human nature is exposed at critical moments through many symbols that echoes throughout the book. The interactions between the older and younger boys, the ‘beastie’ and death are three of the many symbolisms that show the different actions and thoughts of people placed in a difficult, or even impossible situation.
The saying “Survival for the fittest” is often seen in the wild, where stronger animals hunt down the weaker ones. A civilized society educates people not to scornfully despise or put down others. The group of boys on the island consists of both older and younger kids. The interactions between them show how human nature can retain its purity and goodness, as well as reveal its selfish and merciless side, exemplifying the conflict between civilization and savagery. Jack, Ralph and Piggy were three of the older boys. Jack, compelling and authoritative, often ignores the littluns and doesn’t really care about their safety and needs. When the older boys are out hunting for the beast, Ralph is concerned about who would take care of the little ones. Jack cries ‘Sucks
However, in throughout this novel, the seemingly simple and uncomplicated word death symbolizes the uncontrollable urge and yearning to but through flesh and spill blood. Death is important in the book because the ends of different characters truly uncover how savage and insane the boys had become. In the beginning, when Ralph, Jack and Roger first encountered a piglet, Jack pulled out his knife in preparation to kill it. But he couldn’t perform the deed, and all three “knew very well why he hadn’t: because of the enormity of the knife descending and cutting into living flesh; because of the unbearable blood.” (31) At that point of time still, blood seems to be such a taboo subject that is unendurable and disgusting. However, at least for Jack, the perception of this red fluid, and even death, totally changed after his first successful kill. From then on, Jack and the other boys have lost their sanity, from killing animals to their own kind, boys they had lived with for the past weeks. First, there was the unintentional death of Simon; then, the deliberate murder of Piggy, and finally, the hunt for Ralph, before which the boys consciously prepared for; Roger even “sharpened a stick at both ends.” (190) Death is no longer a scary or distant thing for these ferocious boys. In contrast and in fact, since they had been savagely corrupted, they embraced the blood and flesh that came along with