Savagery In The Lord Of The Flies By William Golding

Conflict has been factoring in the human need for survival since the ancient times where protection lied solely from fire and bone. When one wanted to survive it meant becoming the beasts that they were hunting, and rising to the top of the food chain. The problem with conflict in the modern world is that humans are more intellectual and are given the opportunity to make smarter choices. Yet the world consistently reverts back to the primitive ways of survival that were once necessary. When school boys of twelve or less years of age become stranded on an island they are well-mannered, intelligent, and above all civilized. In The Lord of the Flies by William Golding shows the human impulse towards savagery and the negative consequences on the forwarding of civilization. …show more content…
“He began to dance his laughter became a bloodthirsty snarl”(Golding 58). What once was a twelve year old choir boy doing what he believes is correct soon becomes an unidentifiable animal. The human need for conflict and in turn victory and recognition brings out the animalistic qualities in people. Jack starts to make a “bloodthirsty snarl,” which is not a quality usually associated with a young boy but with a man-eating tiger. He begins to “become one with his prey” and in turn reverts back to the standards of the ancient times. His need for survival turns into an addiction to conflict that he consistently chases to quench the thirst that it