Progression of Savagery in Lord of the Flies
The progression of violent events in Lord of the Flies shows Golding’s belief that all humans have a savage nature.
The boys lose their civility through their natural increasing acts of savagery. During the boys’ first meeting, Jack excitedly proclaims, “We’ll have rules! Lots of rules! Then when anyone breaks ‘em--” (33). Jack begins to make a threat towards anyone who breaks the rules the boys set. His threatening tone and statement shows a cruel nature showing through early on in the book. While Roger is scheming, the narrator explains Roger’s first savage act, “Roger stooped, picked up a stone, aimed, and threw it at Henry-- threw it to miss.” (162). Although he throws the rock to miss Henry, it is revealed that he is slowly becoming just as naturally savage as the other boys. Roger’s actions foreshadow his coming brutality. The narrator explains Piggy’s death …show more content…
As Simon explains his belief that there is no real beast, he suggests, “What I mean is… maybe it’s only us.” (89). When Simon realizes that there is no beast and that they are the beast themselves, he points out the boy’s own ruthlessness. His eyes are opened to the fact that their violent actions cause them to become the beast. After the killing of Simon, Ralph tells Piggy, “That was Simon… that was murder” (156). By Ralph realizing that he and the boys killed Simon themselves, he begins to feel remorseful and guilty for the violent action of killing his friend. He recognizes their inhumanity and points it out and he reveals that he is losing himself to savagery. When the Lord of the Flies is talking to Simon, he reveals, “ There isn’t anyone to help you. Only me. And I’m the beast, I’m part of you.” (143). At this point in the book, Simon is exposed to the fact that the boys’ savage human nature is the beast. It has become so strong that it has created a beast out of the young
The progression of violent events in Lord of the Flies shows Golding’s belief that all humans have a savage nature.
The boys lose their civility through their natural increasing acts of savagery. During the boys’ first meeting, Jack excitedly proclaims, “We’ll have rules! Lots of rules! Then when anyone breaks ‘em--” (33). Jack begins to make a threat towards anyone who breaks the rules the boys set. His threatening tone and statement shows a cruel nature showing through early on in the book. While Roger is scheming, the narrator explains Roger’s first savage act, “Roger stooped, picked up a stone, aimed, and threw it at Henry-- threw it to miss.” (162). Although he throws the rock to miss Henry, it is revealed that he is slowly becoming just as naturally savage as the other boys. Roger’s actions foreshadow his coming brutality. The narrator explains Piggy’s death …show more content…
As Simon explains his belief that there is no real beast, he suggests, “What I mean is… maybe it’s only us.” (89). When Simon realizes that there is no beast and that they are the beast themselves, he points out the boy’s own ruthlessness. His eyes are opened to the fact that their violent actions cause them to become the beast. After the killing of Simon, Ralph tells Piggy, “That was Simon… that was murder” (156). By Ralph realizing that he and the boys killed Simon themselves, he begins to feel remorseful and guilty for the violent action of killing his friend. He recognizes their inhumanity and points it out and he reveals that he is losing himself to savagery. When the Lord of the Flies is talking to Simon, he reveals, “ There isn’t anyone to help you. Only me. And I’m the beast, I’m part of you.” (143). At this point in the book, Simon is exposed to the fact that the boys’ savage human nature is the beast. It has become so strong that it has created a beast out of the young