Piggy is only one symbol of civilization’s presence on the island, and Piggy is quite literally crushed by the forward march of savagery on the island. Correspondingly, the remnants and memories of civilized life are slowly displaced by the reality of life on the island. For example, “Fire, generally is regarded as the elementary step to development and progress. In chapter 1 the boys maintained the fire reflecting their desire to be rescued and return to society” (Anjum). In essence, early on, the boys’ desire to escape the island is obvious and actively demonstrated; the boys are still protected from whatever lurks inside of them by the insulation of civilization and the desire to reinforce it. Furthermore, “Chapter 1 describes the semblance
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Truly, culture is foremost demonstrated physically. As such, as the culture of the island transforms, so too does the physicality of its foreign inhabitants: “ ...hair much too long, tangled here and there, knotted round a dead leaf or twig; clothes, worn away, stiff like his own with sweat, put on, not for decorum or comfort but out of custom; the skin of the body scurfy with brine,” (110); “The vignette of physical devastation and uncleanliness was also the representation of uncivilized life. Long hair, filthy smell, bitten nails, dirt and dust amplified their alienation from sophistication” (Anjum). Clearly, as time goes on, the boys begin to give up hygiene and the standards of the old life; similarly, as the minds of the boys are further displaced from civilization, “... language also met change. From childish slangs like 'wacco'.'wizzo', to swear words like 'bloody', 'bullocks' were frequently and unconsciously used” (Anjum). Jack, in particular, deliberately attempts at becoming one with his new life on the island, shedding even his own face for one that is better suited to his circumstances: “‘For hunting. Like in the war. You know - dazzle paint. Like things trying to look like something else -’ He twisted in the urgency of telling. ‘- Like moths on a tree trunk.’“ (57). However, savagery manifests in methods beyond the physical, to which Piggy seems privy; Towards the end of the novel, Piggy plainly recognizes the boy’s descent into chaos. It is clear to him, as well as the reader, that the boys have completely lost every trace of common sense and desire for rescue ; it is ironic, however, that the conch is relevant in this scene: “"I just take the conch to say this. I can't see no more and I got to get my glasses back. Awful things has been done on this island. I voted for
Truly, culture is foremost demonstrated physically. As such, as the culture of the island transforms, so too does the physicality of its foreign inhabitants: “ ...hair much too long, tangled here and there, knotted round a dead leaf or twig; clothes, worn away, stiff like his own with sweat, put on, not for decorum or comfort but out of custom; the skin of the body scurfy with brine,” (110); “The vignette of physical devastation and uncleanliness was also the representation of uncivilized life. Long hair, filthy smell, bitten nails, dirt and dust amplified their alienation from sophistication” (Anjum). Clearly, as time goes on, the boys begin to give up hygiene and the standards of the old life; similarly, as the minds of the boys are further displaced from civilization, “... language also met change. From childish slangs like 'wacco'.'wizzo', to swear words like 'bloody', 'bullocks' were frequently and unconsciously used” (Anjum). Jack, in particular, deliberately attempts at becoming one with his new life on the island, shedding even his own face for one that is better suited to his circumstances: “‘For hunting. Like in the war. You know - dazzle paint. Like things trying to look like something else -’ He twisted in the urgency of telling. ‘- Like moths on a tree trunk.’“ (57). However, savagery manifests in methods beyond the physical, to which Piggy seems privy; Towards the end of the novel, Piggy plainly recognizes the boy’s descent into chaos. It is clear to him, as well as the reader, that the boys have completely lost every trace of common sense and desire for rescue ; it is ironic, however, that the conch is relevant in this scene: “"I just take the conch to say this. I can't see no more and I got to get my glasses back. Awful things has been done on this island. I voted for