Savagery in Lord of the Flies Essay Example

In Lord of the Flies, the author William Golding's characters devolve into savages. The duration on the island shows Golding's view that even a good group of English boys can devolve when the rules, laws, and regulations of civilization are nonexistent after being in an airplane accident. Ralph, Jack, Roger, SamnEric, Piggy, and Simon are the subjects of devolution, some more than others but all devolve in their separate ways.

Both Piggy and Simon, the least savage of the group, still experience devolution. Piggy isn't very athletic and rarely sticks up for himself, yet is exceedingly knowledgeable than the others. Piggy knows the difference between right and wrong and doesn't allow devolution to affect what he knows from civilization, but that changes when he allows devolution to change how he reacts ¨ Furiously he drove the water into Ralph's face¨(147). Instead of veering away from the situation and doing nothing, Piggys uses anger which acknowledges that he is devolving, and uses anger which implies that savagery has taken him. Simon is the least violent of the group and is always there for assistance, seeing as Simon is one to help others before he helps himself. Although his devolution wasn't bodily, it still shows that devolution takes part in a mental expression as well¨ You're a silly little boy, said the lord of the flies¨ (143). Simon's encounter with the lord of the flies reinforces the fact that devolution isn't just physical but can also be seen from an ideological perspective as Simon speaks with the skull of a pig.

Golding's writing presents yet another two characters that endure devolution, but only with more savagery and ways of the wild. Ralph and SamnEric are both characters that don't prioritize harming or find it entertaining, but devolution says otherwise. Ralph is seen as a natural leader and is the main protagonist. Ralph doesn't prioritize other things such as hunting or eating fruit as much as the others but prioritizes rescue, yet devolution has other plans. As Ralph accompanies Jack on his blood sport, he can't quite keep his excitement when engaging in it¨ I hit him! The spear stuck in¨(113). Once a boy with high hopes for liberation from the island they inhabit, now just one of many boys who enjoy the exhilaration of a hunt. Devolution in others such as SamnEric is seen. SamnEric are twins that do almost everything together and are viewed as one. Both are just another pair of kids that relish playing in the sun and enjoy eating lots of tropical and exotic fruits on the island. Still, devolution changes how the twins turn from good English boys to beasts, as both partake in the brutal murder of the innocent boy Simon.¨Sam touched a scratch on his forehead¨(158).¨Eric fingered his split lip¨(158). Both twins' appearance suggests that they had been involved in rough and physical interactions but neglected that they hadn't participated in the death of Simon. Ralph and SamnEric still endure the ways of devolution, even when mentally all want the positive outcome.

Many boys on the island devolve and change, but Jack and Roger change dramatically. Jack, an authoritarian that loves the sense of power and domain over others, devolves into a savage that dances and chants of his past hunts, one in constant yearning for meat and does not emphasize rescue. ¨You and your blood, Jack Merridew! You and your hunting! We might have gone home¨(70). Jack had one primary and brutal task to deliver, keeping the fire going so that ships could see the smoke and they'd all be brought to the salvation of society once more. And did not deem it as important as his blood sport. Roger, a boy that knows morals that have been ingrained in him which shall stay with him forever, or so it seemed. Roger relishes bothering younger boys and throwing pebbles near them. Roger enjoys harming others and seeing the outcome, Yet the inevitability of devolution destroyed those morales of humanity¨The rock struck Piggy a glancing blow from head to knee¨(181). Roger had purposely taken away the life of an innocent child who did no wrong, all for the sole purpose of wanting to.

Golding's representation of the ungodly and unjust way of devolution affects how even boys no older than twelve, and how they affect others. Devolution has seen Ralph, Jack, Roger, SamnEric, Piggy, and Simon differentiate dramatically.