Loss of Innocence: for the Better or Worse? Nehal Alashlem Ms. Hampton English 9, Period 4 March 11, 2024 One of the principal themes in William Golding's "Lord of the Flies" is the loss of innocence characters face. The book reveals a nuanced narrative, where the boys' time stranded on the island initiates beneficial effects to their personas. Being disconnected from civilization teaches them survival skills like hunting and mental skills. While the loss of innocence is undeniable, the dystopian setting fosters moments of growth and self-discovery, forcing the boys’ to accept the harsh world for what it is in its natural state. Initially, the boys' situation is perceived as a tragic predicament, as they are thrust into a harsh, unforgiving
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One prominent example is Jack's assertion of authority: this shows the disregard of ‘normal’ principles, as he declares, "Bollocks to the rules! We're strong — we hunt!" Golding 91. The quote is during a tense moment when Jack and Ralph are in conflict over leadership of the group. At this point in the story, the boys have been stranded on the island for some time, and tensions between the two have been steadily escalating. Here, Jack's rejection of authority signifies a rejection of innocence, the boys succumb to their basest instincts in their quest for power and dominance. Connecting to my original point, Jack’s actions would appear as barbasim through a society lens, but in this setting he’s able to put himself forth in a position of leadership. Adding on, the absence of adult authority enables the boys to establish their own rules and systems of governance. One example of this being shown is through the conch shell. The conch shell is a symbol of order. Ralph attempts to uphold democratic principles through the use of it. For instance, when Ralph discovers it, he shares its potential
One prominent example is Jack's assertion of authority: this shows the disregard of ‘normal’ principles, as he declares, "Bollocks to the rules! We're strong — we hunt!" Golding 91. The quote is during a tense moment when Jack and Ralph are in conflict over leadership of the group. At this point in the story, the boys have been stranded on the island for some time, and tensions between the two have been steadily escalating. Here, Jack's rejection of authority signifies a rejection of innocence, the boys succumb to their basest instincts in their quest for power and dominance. Connecting to my original point, Jack’s actions would appear as barbasim through a society lens, but in this setting he’s able to put himself forth in a position of leadership. Adding on, the absence of adult authority enables the boys to establish their own rules and systems of governance. One example of this being shown is through the conch shell. The conch shell is a symbol of order. Ralph attempts to uphold democratic principles through the use of it. For instance, when Ralph discovers it, he shares its potential