Inherent Irony in Chapter 12 of Golding's Lord of the Flies
As George R.R. Martin once said: “There is a savage beast in every man, and when you hand that man a sword or spear and send him forth to war, the beast stirs” (put citation). As the quote explains, every person on this planet has a beast inside of them. When the right conditions are established, the savage that is within us, springs out, revealing our true self. Golding’s novel Lord of the flies demonstrates this ruthlessness in us, gradually exposing the group’s animalistic behaviors as the book progresses and suffice to say, shows clear examples of inherent irony. Jacks act of hunting Ralph, the fire that was purposely put in place to kill Ralph but ended up saving the group and the navy officer’s reaction to the boys all exhibited inherent irony in Lord of the flies.
The last chapter in Golding’s novel Lord of the flies validates that Jack is fearful of losing his positon as leader and wants Ralph gone. In the following quote, the twins express their point of view to Ralph. It says: “They hate you, Ralph… They’re going to hunt you tomorrow” (188). The quote explains that Ralph has been despised of, with the tribe planning on killing him the next day. One would think that Jacks group would leave Ralph alone but that is not the case Jack hates Ralph because he doesn’t want Ralph potentially taking back positon as leader. In order for him to fully accomplish his goals, he must find Ralph and end his life. But knowing that Ralph is one of the few who tries to create order, Jacks plans of killing Ralph evidently would worsen the group’s situation. Thus it is unmistakable that Jack wants Ralph gone in order to sustain his top position.
It is apparent that the forest fire was meant to hunt down Ralph, but ironically helped the boys attract attention and escape off of the island. In the following quote Ralph is running for his life in the burning forest fire when he encounters the naval officer. It states: “He could hear them crashing in the undergrowth and on
The last chapter in Golding’s novel Lord of the flies validates that Jack is fearful of losing his positon as leader and wants Ralph gone. In the following quote, the twins express their point of view to Ralph. It says: “They hate you, Ralph… They’re going to hunt you tomorrow” (188). The quote explains that Ralph has been despised of, with the tribe planning on killing him the next day. One would think that Jacks group would leave Ralph alone but that is not the case Jack hates Ralph because he doesn’t want Ralph potentially taking back positon as leader. In order for him to fully accomplish his goals, he must find Ralph and end his life. But knowing that Ralph is one of the few who tries to create order, Jacks plans of killing Ralph evidently would worsen the group’s situation. Thus it is unmistakable that Jack wants Ralph gone in order to sustain his top position.
It is apparent that the forest fire was meant to hunt down Ralph, but ironically helped the boys attract attention and escape off of the island. In the following quote Ralph is running for his life in the burning forest fire when he encounters the naval officer. It states: “He could hear them crashing in the undergrowth and on