At first, the specs were a tool used for reuniting the boys to civilization, but in the end it was a symbol for how much their makeshift society turned against civilization completely. In William Golding’s Lord of The Flies, the schoolboys’ ability to maintain order is tested, with the option of resorting to savagery and turning against civil life and rescue. Piggy’s specs, a tool from civilization, became a tool for power, with the savages abusing its use. This shows that human nature corrupts order, even using tools meant for good towards evil. Piggy’s specs symbolize the degeneration of civilization through the use of the glasses. Piggy's specs symbolize the degeneration of civilization through the lighting of the fire, the breaking of a lens, and the stealing of the glasses.
Piggy’s specs symbolize the degeneration of civilization through the lighting of the fire. When the boys were having difficulty starting a fire, Jack suggests to use “[Piggy’s] specs- as burning glasses”(Golding 140). They snatch the glasses from Piggy, and use it to start a fire. Making this …show more content…
After Jack’s tribe raided Ralph’s group for the glasses, Jack is described as “chief now in truth,” with “[Piggy’s broken glasses dangling] from his left hand”(Golding 168). Jack’s tribe needs the glasses to start a cooking fire, but they do not have the means to. Being savages that they are, they steal the glasses from Ralph’s group. They resort to fighting their own kind to satisfy their savagery, removing all the hope for rescue. They steal civilization and abuse the power of the glasses, using it to start a cooking fire for a savage feast. They remove Piggy’s vision and control over the boys, blinding him in several ways. The abuse of the glasses displays the boys’ refusal to see the necessity of civilization. This shows that whoever has the glasses has power, being able to use it for both good and
Piggy’s specs symbolize the degeneration of civilization through the lighting of the fire. When the boys were having difficulty starting a fire, Jack suggests to use “[Piggy’s] specs- as burning glasses”(Golding 140). They snatch the glasses from Piggy, and use it to start a fire. Making this …show more content…
After Jack’s tribe raided Ralph’s group for the glasses, Jack is described as “chief now in truth,” with “[Piggy’s broken glasses dangling] from his left hand”(Golding 168). Jack’s tribe needs the glasses to start a cooking fire, but they do not have the means to. Being savages that they are, they steal the glasses from Ralph’s group. They resort to fighting their own kind to satisfy their savagery, removing all the hope for rescue. They steal civilization and abuse the power of the glasses, using it to start a cooking fire for a savage feast. They remove Piggy’s vision and control over the boys, blinding him in several ways. The abuse of the glasses displays the boys’ refusal to see the necessity of civilization. This shows that whoever has the glasses has power, being able to use it for both good and