Civilization Vs Savagery In Lord Of The Flies Analysis

Since the beginning of mankind, humans’ instinct to behave like savages and act violently has been pitted against their desire for civilization and order. In the novel Lord of the Flies, by William Golding, the theme of civilization versus savagery is presented with a group of English schoolboys stranded on a tropical island that must survive on their own with no adult supervision. In this allegory, the protagonist, Ralph, tries to have order and cooperation on the island, while Jack, a power hungry tyrant, ultimately creates violence and chaos. Golding presents the theme of civilization versus savagery through the plot of the boys being marooned, the setting of the deserted island, and the characterization of civil Ralph and lawless Jack. Many conflicts arise throughout the progression of Lord of the Flies. The two main plots that represent Golding’s theme are the conflict for the need to hunt for food, which …show more content…
Golding conveys the theme of civilization versus savagery through the setting by portraying the island as a calming haven but also as a scary unknown island. The beach is calming, as it serves as a place where the boys spend most of their time. The beach is also civil because the boys’ shelters are built there and the boys play innocently by the water. The forest, on the other hand, frightens the boys, because it is dark and they believe that a “beast” emerges from the forest at night. Simon, a shy boy, explores the forest at night, and Golding describes the forest as “… high jungle closed in. Tall trunks bore unexpected pale flowers all the way up to the dark canopy where life went on clamorously.” (Golding, 56) The forest bears unknown terrors to the boys, making them scared of it. The forest symbolizes savagery because the older boys hunt and act like barbarians in the jungle. Golding accurately portrays the main theme by comparing the forest and the