Responsibility is an expectation society places on you at some point in life. The Lord of the Flies written by William Golding, fully expresses this thought as a constant theme throughout the book. Multiple characters are faced with decisions of whether to do the “right” or responsible thing or to just run off and embrace the joys of having no real authority that proper society maintains. No true order can be maintained without some form of the older society that many of the children refuse to accept at necessary.
William Golding’s main character Ralph is a perfect embodiment of the theme, that society places a certain set of rules in order to maintain order among the people. Right from the start of the story Ralph had this set instinct that a leader must be selected to help “rule” the boys, although everyone agreed he made a setting where everyone was treated fairly. Ralph says, “‘ Seems to me we ought to have a chief …show more content…
On more than one occasion in the book Piggy has been the one to come up with a rational understanding of what is going on and his opinions were just pushed to the side. Piggy says, “‘That little ‘un- him with the mark on his face, I don’t see him. Where is he now?”’ “The crowd was as silent as death.” (Golding 46). Piggy is the only one who notices that the little ‘un is missing, making Ralph and the others feel awful for their irresponsibility with the fire. Piggy also is discriminated against by Jack because of his blunt truth against Jack’s actions of neglecting the fire. Golding writes, “ Piggy began again. “‘You didn’t ought to have let that fire out. You said you’d keep the smoke going-”’ “This from Piggy, and the wails of agreement from some of the hunters, drove Jack to violence.” (Golding 71). Jack ends up striking Piggy in a rage, symbolizing his rebellion to the rules of Ralphs