Anyone trapped on an island desolate of human life, would begin to lose their civility, but a group of boys barely out of elementary! Lord of the Flies by William Golding does just that. After their plane is shot down, the group of boys must survive on an island that is as gorgeous as it is dangerous. Plagued by fear, the entire group begins to lose their civility. A theme that is showcased in this story by the author is that when people experience fear their state of mind will determine the rationality and morals of their fear driven actions. This theme is showcased through the characterization of the boys and symbolism on the island.
As an illustration of this theme the author uses characterization of the boys differently throughout the …show more content…
“‘He was dreaming’ Laughing, Ralph looked for confirmation round the ring of faces. The older boys agreed; but here and there among the little ones was the doubt that required more that rational assurance.” (36) Most of them see it as a joke while the little kids have a different mindset are more doubtful of Ralph's reassurance. Later on in the novel while Ralph and Jack are talking about why they need the shelters, instead of laughing off the notion of a “beastie” they change the subject like it can’t be talked about. “‘We need the shelter because of the-’ He paused for a moment and they both pushed their anger away. then he went on the with the safe, changed the subject.” (52) This shows that his actions because of the “beastie” have changed. Considering this, Jack at the beginning of the novel, when they just landed, and there isn't a notion of the “beastie”, spares the piglet's life. ”They knew very well why he hadn’t: because of the enormity of the knife descending and cutting into living flesh; …show more content…
A symbols of fear is the mask that Jack makes. “Beside the pool his sinewy body held up a mask that drew their eyes and appalled them. He began to dance and his laughter became a bloodthirsty snarling. He capered toward Bill, and the mask was a thing on its own, behind which Jack hid, liberated from shame and self-consciousness. The face jigged toward Bill. bill started up laughing; then suddenly he fell silent and blundered away through the bushes. Jack rushed toward the twins. ‘The rest are making a line. Come on!’ ‘But-’ ‘-we-’ ‘Come on! I’ll creep up and stab-’ The mask compelled them.”(64) The boys are afraid of the mask so they comply to its desires. As time progresses in the novel they lose respect for the mask. “Roger edged past the chief, only just avoiding pushing him with his shoulder. The yelling ceased, and Samneric lay looking up in quiet terror. Roger advanced upon them as one wielding a nameless authority”. (182) Even though Jack still wears the mask of the chief it does not still hold the same power it once had, as the other now have their own masks. They lose the fear that Jack's mask once had and they grow more cruel and
As an illustration of this theme the author uses characterization of the boys differently throughout the …show more content…
“‘He was dreaming’ Laughing, Ralph looked for confirmation round the ring of faces. The older boys agreed; but here and there among the little ones was the doubt that required more that rational assurance.” (36) Most of them see it as a joke while the little kids have a different mindset are more doubtful of Ralph's reassurance. Later on in the novel while Ralph and Jack are talking about why they need the shelters, instead of laughing off the notion of a “beastie” they change the subject like it can’t be talked about. “‘We need the shelter because of the-’ He paused for a moment and they both pushed their anger away. then he went on the with the safe, changed the subject.” (52) This shows that his actions because of the “beastie” have changed. Considering this, Jack at the beginning of the novel, when they just landed, and there isn't a notion of the “beastie”, spares the piglet's life. ”They knew very well why he hadn’t: because of the enormity of the knife descending and cutting into living flesh; …show more content…
A symbols of fear is the mask that Jack makes. “Beside the pool his sinewy body held up a mask that drew their eyes and appalled them. He began to dance and his laughter became a bloodthirsty snarling. He capered toward Bill, and the mask was a thing on its own, behind which Jack hid, liberated from shame and self-consciousness. The face jigged toward Bill. bill started up laughing; then suddenly he fell silent and blundered away through the bushes. Jack rushed toward the twins. ‘The rest are making a line. Come on!’ ‘But-’ ‘-we-’ ‘Come on! I’ll creep up and stab-’ The mask compelled them.”(64) The boys are afraid of the mask so they comply to its desires. As time progresses in the novel they lose respect for the mask. “Roger edged past the chief, only just avoiding pushing him with his shoulder. The yelling ceased, and Samneric lay looking up in quiet terror. Roger advanced upon them as one wielding a nameless authority”. (182) Even though Jack still wears the mask of the chief it does not still hold the same power it once had, as the other now have their own masks. They lose the fear that Jack's mask once had and they grow more cruel and