It is a common fact that civilization is the opposite of savagery. When most people think of civilization, they think of an organized country in which the government is closely tied to the public. Many may think of civilization as simply living peacefully with a short set of rules put forth by one authoritative figure. The term "civilization" may have different meanings to many around the world. Savagery on the other hand, usually has a universal meaning, that being uncivilized. In the book, Lord of the Flies, William Golding does a fantastic job of placing these two very different ways of life together.
From the very beginning of the book, the separation of civilization versus savagery is laid out. Symbolizing civilization is the conch, which …show more content…
First up is Maurice; "In his other life Maurice had received chastisement for filling a younger eye with sand. Now, though there was no parent to let fall a heavy hand, Maurice still felt the unease of wrongdoing. At the back of his mind he formed the uncertain outlines of an excuse" (Golding 60). Prior to this quote, Maurice had stomped through some littluns' sandcastles and kicked up some sand into Percival's eyes. The quote explains that although no one was there to scold Maurice, he still felt the need to form an excuse and apology just in case he was caught. Next to show his hold on civilization is Roger. "Roger gathered a handful of stones and began to throw them. Yet there was a space round Henry, perhaps six yards in diameter, where he dare not throw" (Golding 62). By not throwing the stones directly at Henry, Roger is showing that he still has a sense of right and wrong to him. He understands that he would get in trouble if his parents saw him in the act. Both of these boys still know what they should and shouldn’t be doing, but the black and white are starting to
From the very beginning of the book, the separation of civilization versus savagery is laid out. Symbolizing civilization is the conch, which …show more content…
First up is Maurice; "In his other life Maurice had received chastisement for filling a younger eye with sand. Now, though there was no parent to let fall a heavy hand, Maurice still felt the unease of wrongdoing. At the back of his mind he formed the uncertain outlines of an excuse" (Golding 60). Prior to this quote, Maurice had stomped through some littluns' sandcastles and kicked up some sand into Percival's eyes. The quote explains that although no one was there to scold Maurice, he still felt the need to form an excuse and apology just in case he was caught. Next to show his hold on civilization is Roger. "Roger gathered a handful of stones and began to throw them. Yet there was a space round Henry, perhaps six yards in diameter, where he dare not throw" (Golding 62). By not throwing the stones directly at Henry, Roger is showing that he still has a sense of right and wrong to him. He understands that he would get in trouble if his parents saw him in the act. Both of these boys still know what they should and shouldn’t be doing, but the black and white are starting to