Lord of the Flies Characters
The main characters of Lord of the Flies include Ralph, Jack, Piggy, Simon, and Roger.
- Ralph is elected leader of the schoolboys when they are stranded on an island.
- Jack rebels against Ralph’s authority and leads the boys to savagery.
- Piggy is an intelligent, overweight boy who acts as Ralph’s adviser.
- Simon is an innocent boy who is killed by the savage group.
- Roger is a sadist who becomes one of Jack's first followers.
List of Characters
Lord of the Flies can be read as a rich set of character studies nested within the novel’s larger allegory. Thus each of the main characters is unique, representing a particular aspect of human society, from Piggy’s scientific rationality to Simon’s intuitive creativity to Jack’s tyrannical malevolence.
Ralph
Ralph is the protagonist of Lord of the Flies. He is one of the older boys on the island, and his good looks and confidence make him a natural leader. He finds the conch and initially looks on it as a... (Read our extended character analysis on Ralph)
Jack
Jack is the antagonist of Lord of the Flies. He is set in physical contrast to the attractive Ralph, instead described as tall, thin, and “ugly without silliness.” Jack is the leader of a church choir, and... (Read our extended character analysis on Jack)
Piggy
Piggy is established as an outsider and source of ridicule amongst the boys on the island, with his weight, asthma, and spectacles offering up prime targets for jokes. His thin hair, physique, and... (Read our extended character analysis on Piggy)
Simon
Simon is the one of the younger “biguns,” portrayed as thoughtful, gentle, and prone to fainting spells. He begins as one of the choir boys but he does not join Jack’s band of hunters, instead staying... (Read our extended character analysis on Simon)
Roger
Extended Character Analysis
Roger is one of the “biguns” and a member of the choir led by Jack Merridew. He is described as “dark” and “slight and furtive,” and none of the other boys know him well. However, as the boys spend more time on the island, Roger quickly establishes his cruel nature by knocking down the younger boys’ sandcastles and throwing rocks at Henry. At first, the constraints of polite society prevent him from actually hurting anyone, but as Jack’s power grows and the boys’ society collapses, Roger grows more bold and more violent. The killing of the nursing sow showcases Roger’s sadism, as he drives his sharpened stick into the pig’s anus, an action that serves no purpose aside from causing pain. Roger's embrace of violence culminates in the murder of Piggy, wherein Roger casts off his inhibitions completely and serves as Jack’s executioner.
Roger acts as a foil for Piggy. Just as Piggy is Ralph’s advisor, Roger is Jack’s second-in-command, establishing himself as Jack’s executioner. He is shown to have significant influence within the tribe when he takes over the torture of Samneric. Piggy represents wisdom, prudence, and civility, helping push Ralph to be a better leader and hold society together. Roger represents the direct opposite: savagery, recklessness, and anarchy. Whereas as Piggy is lucid in articulating his many thoughts, Roger is silent and undecipherable, preferring action to speech. It is the bounds of society that once kept Roger contained, so his influence, now unbounded, seeks to undermine order and rationality in favor of violence and chaos. His murder of Piggy represents the triumph of savagery and hedonism over order and civility.
Samneric
Extended Character Analysis
The identical twins Sam and Eric are referred to as Samneric due to their indistinguishable appearances and personalities. They are regularly appointed to tend the signal fire, and they are involved in both the missed rescue opportunity and the initial sighting of the dead parachutist, which they mistake for the beast.
After Jack defects and forms his own tribe, Samneric are the only “biguns” aside from Piggy and Simon who remain loyal to Ralph. They go with Ralph and Piggy to reclaim Piggy’s stolen glasses from Jack. After Piggy’s death and Ralph’s escape, they are captured and tortured into joining Jack’s tribe by Roger. However, despite their fear of Roger, they still give Ralph food and warn him about Jack’s plans before sending him away.
Samneric represent societal unity. They don’t possess the individuality that the rest of the boys do and are regarded as one entity rather than two distinct ones. Piggy attempts to differentiate them at the beginning, but it is not until after Simon’s death that they become briefly distinguishable from one another due to their differing injuries.
After Simon's death, societal unity dissolves completely, with any chance of reconciliation between the opposing factions destroyed by the death of the only person who knew the truth of the beast. Sam and Eric begin fighting one another, no longer able to function as a unit, just as Ralph’s group is too fractured to be able to function cohesively. They are later forcibly assimilated into Jack’s tribe, one again becoming Samneric as Jack prepares to hunt down Ralph, uniting his tribe under a common purpose.
Bill, Maurice, & Robert
Extended Character Analysis
Three of the biguns—Bill, Maurice, and Robert—have minor but notable roles in Lord of the Flies. While not as developed as the main characters, each adds to the narrative by presenting a mixture of personality traits that serve to support themes in the text.
Bill
Bill is initially confused by the different values and priorities of Ralph and Jack. When Jack shows the others his plan to paint his face to hunt a pig, Bill seems interested but becomes afraid of Jack's painted face and runs away. However, he eventually imagines hunting and "being savages" to be "jolly good fun" and embraces these things in order to confront his fears. He tries to persuade Ralph's group to go to Jack's feast, and he ultimately joins Jack's tribe. He is last seen covered in paint, hunting Ralph.
Maurice
Like Bill, Maurice is also confused by the culture clash on the island. Maurice is tall, like Jack, and exhibits a mixture of good and bad characteristics, depending on which boy is in charge. Initially, Maurice is helpful, proposing that the boys use green branches to create smoke for the signal fire. He also cheers up the littluns by pretending to fall off a log, making them laugh. Despite wanting to believe, like Piggy, that science can explain away human fears, Maurice still fears the beast, claiming "We don't know [about the beast], do we? Not certainly, I mean...." He eventually gives in to his fears and joins Roger in kicking over the littluns' sand castles as a way to exert power. Maurice finally progresses entirely away from reason when he helps Jack steal fire from Ralph and Piggy.
Robert
Robert generally goes along with whoever is in power. In one of the few instances where he shows initiative, he pretends to be a pig in the hunting game. However, the boys go too far and hurt him, reducing Robert to a whining child. After Jack leaves to start his own group, Robert joins him. He and Maurice are a part of the group that welcomes Ralph, Piggy, and the others to Jack's feast. Robert eventually becomes one of Jack's guards at Castle Rock.
The Littluns
Extended Character Analysis
The older boys use the term “littluns” to refer collectively to the younger boys on the island. They spend most of their days playing on the beach rather than working, and they are wracked by nightmares of a terrifying beast. They are largely objects of derision amongst the older boys, who view their nightmares as childish.
The littluns are the most vulnerable people on the island, most of them too young to properly take care of themselves or navigate the wilderness. They symbolize the common people of a society, influenced by the leadership of the older boys. At the beginning, they are democratic constituents with voting power and input at the meetings. They elect Ralph, who looks out for their safety by maintaining the signal fire and building shelters. However, as their fear of the beast grows, they are brought under the sway of Jack, a demagogue who manipulates their fear and promises to hunt down the beast. Under Jack, they feast and reject their civilized instincts.
The named littluns that feature in Lord of the Flies include the following:
- Henry: The biggest littlun, Henry is the target of Roger's game in chapter 4. Henry is related to the littlun with the mulberry-colored birthmark, and he later joins Jack's group. Henry delights in "exercising control over living things" because of the supposed power it gives him over nature.
- Johnny: Along with Percival, Johnny is the smallest of the littluns. He is described as having "a natural belligerence," which he showcases by throwing sand in Percival's face. Later, Johnny cries when he thinks Eric may be bleeding after his encounter with Jack's fire-stealers.
- The littlun with the mulberry-colored birthmark: Besides the birthmark, this littlun is identified as a relative of Henry's. He is the first of the boys to mention a "snake-thing," which becomes the "beastie" that the littluns claim comes in the dark. This littlun is not seen again after the first fire burns out of control.
- Percival Wemys Madison: Of all the littluns, Percival has the most difficulty adjusting to his new surroundings. He is one of the smallest littluns and "play[s] little and cries often." Ralph and Piggy call on Percival after Phil's dream of seeing and fighting with "twisty things in the trees" to hopefully dispel the rumors of the beast. However, Percival keeps reciting his name and address. He eventually suggests that the beast comes from the sea, and that thought, combined with his wailing, starts the other littluns crying as well.
- Phil: One of the more confident littluns, Phil is able to describe his dream of fighting with "twisty things in the trees" to the group.
The littluns represent the common people of any society, and in that role they highlight the dangers of irresponsibly wielded power. When Ralph suggests building a signal fire for the first time, the boys set off in a frenzy and allow the fire to grow out of control. This results in the implied death of a littlun with a mulberry-colored birthmark. Piggy then scolds the boys for their rash actions, reinforcing the need for order and careful consideration in a successful society.
Expert Q&A
Who is Maurice in Lord of the Flies?
2 Educator Answers
Quick answer:
Maurice is one of the older boys in Jack's tribe in "Lord of the Flies." Initially, he is affable and feels guilt for his actions, such as when he kicks over sandcastles. However, as the novel progresses, Maurice becomes more savage, participating in raids and fully embracing Jack's violent leadership, ultimately showing no desire for rescue.
Maurice is the second-largest choir boy, behind Jack. At the beginning of the novel, he is an affable and funny sort of boy, but as the novel goes on, he becomes more savage and destructive. For example, towards the beginning of the book, he kicks over the sand castles built by the smaller boys. He still feels some guilt about his actions at this point. As Golding writes, "Now, though there was no parent to let fall a heavy hand, Maurice still felt the unease of wrongdoing."
However, Maurice, who often makes jokes to make the smaller boys laugh, becomes more and more savage under Jack's tutelage. Jack smears blood all over Maurice after Jack kills a pig, and then Maurice becomes one of the hunters in Jack's camp. Maurice goes on raids of Ralph's camp with Jack, and it's clear that Maurice is happy on the island and does not particularly want to be rescued; he wants to live a life of complete savagery.
Who are Maurice and Roger in Lord of the Flies?
Roger and Maurice are two of the older boys on the island in Lord of the Flies, by William Golding.
Maurice is not a bad boy, though he certainly ends up among the savages. He tries to cheer the littluns up when they are distraught about the potential of a beast on the island by doing something comical. He "of all the boys . . . was the most at home" on the island, and he is helpful when it comes to making signal fires which require much more smoke than fire. Despite that, he is not convinced that there are no beasts on the island.
As the novel progresses, Maurice follows Jack's lead and becomes less civilized. He and Roger deliberately destroy the littluns' sand castles and Maurice is an active participant in developing the pig-killing rituals; he suggests adding the ominous drums. While his savagery never rises to the same level as Jack's or Roger's, Maurice must be considered one of the savages by the end of the story.
Roger, on the other hand, is a cruel and morose boy from the beginning. He keeps "to himself with an inner intensity of avoidance and secrecy," and he is convinced they will never be rescued (think Eeyore).
He was not noticeably darker than when he had dropped in, but the shock of black hair, down his nape and low on his forehead, seemed to suit his gloomy face....
Not only does he kick down the sand castles with Maurice, but then Roger tests the limits of his self-restraint by throwing rocks near Henry, one of the littluns.
Roger gathered a handful of stones and began to throw them. Yet there was a space round Henry, perhaps six yards in diameter, into which he dare not throw. Here, invisible yet strong, was the taboo of the old life. Round the squatting child was the protection of parents and school and policemen and the law. Roger’s arm was conditioned by a civilization that knew nothing of him and was in ruins.
Though he has some restraint now, he quickly devolves into savagery. He is the one who drops the boulder on Piggy, smashing both him and the conch. He is the one Jack uses to perpetrate violence on the other boys to make them comply, including Samneric. There is even an indication that Roger's savagery is worse than Jack's, hinting that if a rescue had not happened, Jack would have eventually succumbed to Roger's violence.
Roger edged past the chief, only just avoiding pushing him with his shoulder.
Roger's self-restraint is evident now, but his history says he will get worse.
Both boys are examples of how humanity deteriorates into savagery when there is no civilization or restraint to keep it from happening.
Why does Roger shove past Jack, almost edging him aside, in Lord of the Flies?
2 Educator Answers
Quick answer:
Roger shoves past Jack to assert his own "nameless authority" and demonstrate his sadistic nature, which has grown beyond Jack's control. This act symbolizes Roger's complete rejection of human morals and desire to embrace brutality. Although Jack is the tribe's official leader, Roger's willingness to inflict pain on others without restraint suggests a potential threat to Jack's authority, highlighting Roger's transformation into a figure of pure, uncontained violence.
At the end of chapter 11, Roger ends up rolling a boulder down from Castle Rock and brutally murders Piggy. Jack immediately runs toward Ralph and hurls his spear at him as Ralph narrowly escapes. After briefly chasing Ralph, Jack orders his followers to retreat back to the fortress. However, Roger disobeys Jack's orders and continues to walk toward Samneric with a menacing look on his face. After Jack begins questioning Samneric about their intentions, Golding writes,
Roger edged past the chief, only just avoiding pushing him with his shoulder. . . . Roger advanced upon them as one wielding a nameless authority (142).
At this point in the novel, Roger has developed into a sadist and is the tribe's unofficial torturer. Golding writes that Roger possesses his own "nameless authority" and is portrayed as even more malevolent and ruthless than Jack. Even though Jack is still the tribe's official leader, Roger's complete disregard for humanity, combined with his deprived nature, suggests that he will become a threat to Jack's authority. Essentially, Roger is not concerned about obeying anyone and only wishes to satiate his savage desires by inflicting pain upon others.
Roger, always eager for violence, is edging past Jack in order to "show him" how to attack SamnEric. Roger is the symbol of animal brutality, but it is a brutality barely contained by authority. Jack is the authority. Roger is shoving Jack, almost but not quite pushing him aside, in a symbolic action to discard human morals and turn fully to animal desire.
How does society shape Roger's behavior in Lord of the Flies?
Round the squatting child was the protection of parents and school and policemen and the law. Roger's arm was conditioned by a civilization that knew nothing of him and was in ruins.
1 Educator Answer
Roger's society shaped the way he behaves because he'd learned that if he didn't behave properly, he'd be punished. He'd learned, probably from experience, that if he acted out the way he wanted to, that if he responded to the bully and evilness within himself, his parents, his school, and even the law would come down on him. The first sentence of the quote attests to that. By saying that the protection of parents, the school, the policemen, and the law sourrounded Henry (the child that Roger was throwing stones at), the indication is that Roger had learned that these forces were between doing what he wanted to do and doing what he knew he could or could not do without fear of punishment. The second sentence of the quote is the more frightening sentence. The words, "...a civilization that knew nothing of him..." hints that Roger is a sociopath or worse. The society did not know of his innermost desires, of his evilness inside because he'd learned to hide it so that he could exist in that society. The final words, "...and was in ruins,' is the most telling part of the quote because it lets us know that the society that kept Roger at bay no longer exists and therefore the evil within him is free to come out. And it does come out. Roger becomes the most evil person on the island because he seems to act without conscience. By the end of chapter 11, after he has crushed Piggy, he wields "a nameless authority" because he does not care that he killed Piggy. Now that he is free of the society that shaped him, he is free to act the way he's always wanted to act.
What are the physical and personality traits of Roger in Lord of the Flies?
2 Educator Answers
Quick answer:
In terms of a physical description, Roger has black hair and a gloomy face, which make him look rather unapproachable. His personality is dark and sadistic, which is revealed when he kicks over the littluns' castles, throws stones near Henry, and later rolls the boulder that kills Piggy.
Roger is repeatedly described physical as dark and slight, with black hair and an unsociable face. This fits with his personality, which is secretive and sneaky. He is a member of the choir when the plane crashes, but is not close to anyone in it. He is:
a slight, furtive boy whom no one knew, who kept to himself with an inner intensity of avoidance and secrecy. He muttered that his name was Roger and was silent again.
As he acclimates to the island, Roger becomes gradually aware that the old rules might no longer apply. He begins to turn from remote to "forbidding":
Roger remained, watching the littluns. He was not noticeably darker than when he had dropped in, but the shock of black hair, down his nape and low on his forehead, seemed to suit his gloomy face and made what had seemed at first an unsociable remoteness into something forbidding.
Roger is creeping around the corners of this new, all boy society, watching and biding his time. He gathers stones and studies Henry, a little boy at play. He begins to throw the stones in his direction, but not close enough to have any chance of hitting him:
Yet there was a space round Henry, perhaps six yards in diameter, into which he dare not throw. Here, invisible yet strong, was the taboo of the old life. Round the squatting child was the protection of parents and school and policemen and the law.
What Golding implies is that it is only the rules of civilized society and the fear of punishment they represent that keep people like Roger in line. He has no real inner moral compass except for fear of how he will be hurt if he hurts another. His secret evil will become more and more apparent as he realizes there is no one around to prevent him from acting on his desires. Jack intuits that like him, Roger has an inner desire to hurt and dominate that wants to be liberated, which is why he introduces him to the masking that can help free his id.
In the harsh scene where Jack and Roger kill the pig, it is Roger who sadistically runs his spear through her anus and into her intestines until she screams:
Roger found a lodgment for his point and began to push till he was leaning with his whole weight. The spear moved forward inch by inch and the terrified squealing became a highpitched scream.
At this point, the veil of civilization has been ripped away. Civilization, Golding implies, is important, as it keeps people like Roger at bay.
Roger is a mystery from the beginning, and seems to have a dark character.
It seems that while some of the boys know each other, especially the choir, no one knows Roger or where he came from.
There was a slight, furtive boy whom no one knew, who kept to himself with an inner intensity of avoidance and secrecy. He muttered that his name was Roger and was silent again. (ch 1)
Roger is actually very important. When you watch him closely, you will notice that he is the impetus for a lot of the action. First of all, he is usually quiet but when he speaks up he makes things happen. He is the one who first calls for a vote. He also makes suggestions about the fire, and tells everyone that he has been watching the water and there are no ships.
Roger seems to have a dark side. Roger and Maurice destroy the littleuns play area for no reason. Roger is the instigator. At this point we are given a physical description of him that reinforces the darkness in his personality.
He was not noticeably darker than when he had dropped in, but the shock of black hair, down his nape and low on his forehead, seemed to suit his gloomy face and made what had seemed at first an unsociable remoteness into something forbidding. (ch 4)
Roger starts throwing stones, and although he throws to miss it is only the influence of civilization, which happens to be slowly leaving him.
Roger goes with Ralph and Jack to inspect the mountain. Since Roger is “uncommunicative by nature,” he does not offer an opinion on the beast. He also stabs the pig much more aggressively and repeatedly than necessary. In the pig dance, Roger plays the pig.
In Lord of the Flies, how does Roger assist in killing the sow?
1 Educator Answer
Quick answer:
In Lord of the Flies, Roger assists in killing the sow by stabbing his spear into her anus and leaning his weight on it while Jack slits her throat. This act of brutality demonstrates Roger's cruelty and the boys' descent into savagery, foreshadowing later violent events.
In chapter eight of Lord of the Flies, Jack and his band find a sow to kill for meat. In the killing of the sow, they show not only their savagery but also their descent into madness and evil. The boys don’t just kill the sow for meat, but their act turns into rape and torture—showing the darkness that lies at the human heart.
Roger is Jack’s Lieutenant—he is one of the cruelest boys on the island, and he is the one who shoves his spear up the sow’s anus. He is also one of the leaders on the hunt, and he is the one who attacks the sow after she collapses,
Roger ran round the heap, prodding with his spear whenever pigflesh appeared. (Chapter 8)
Roger is the one who catches the pig by stabbing his spear into her anus and then leaning his weight on it while Jack slits her throat. The rape of the pig, something that is both unnecessary and terrifying, shows the true nature of not only Roger but also Jack—it also foreshadows their cruelty and Roger’s eventual murder of Piggy.
Roger's plan for Ralph in Lord of the Flies
2 Educator Answers
Summary:
Roger's plan for Ralph in Lord of the Flies is to hunt him down and kill him. Roger sharpens a stick in preparation, indicating his intention to mount Ralph's head as a trophy, similar to what was done with the Lord of the Flies.
In Lord of the Flies, what is Roger's plan for Ralph?
In the novel Lord of the Flies by William Golding, the author brings to a potentially cannibalistic conclusion the gradual decline and fall of the castaway boys from divine-looking choristers to near-cannibal savages. In fact, some critics may even say that this is doing a dis-service to cannibalistic tribes as the latter have never been taught any different and so can possibly be viewed as "innocent." These boys have been given the "best" in life in terms of education, affluent families and religious/moral guidance. Yet Roger and Jack in particular seem to fall fast into the abyss - in Roger's case this is all the more culpable because his actions are so often pre-meditated - as in the examples where he plans to harm Ralph and an "innocent" (Piggy) is killed in his stead. The sharpened stick at the end suggests gruesome ytibal consequences.
In Lord of the Flies, what is Roger's plan for Ralph?
Toward the end of the book, Roger tries to kill Ralph a number of times. In Chapter 11, Roger levers down the huge rock that was meant to kill Ralph. It kills Piggy instead.
In Chapter 12, Roger and others are hunting Ralph. They are going to try to hunt him down like a pig. Roger has sharpened a stick at both ends, we are told. The implication is that, after they kill Ralph, they are going to spit him on the stick and roast him like a pig.
So I imagine the answer that you are probably looking for is that Roger plans to kill Ralph and roast him.
Key quotes revealing Roger's character in Lord of the Flies
4 Educator Answers
Summary:
Key quotes revealing Roger's character in Lord of the Flies include: "Roger sharpened a stick at both ends," which shows his growing savagery, and "Roger, with a sense of delirious abandonment, leaned all his weight on the lever," highlighting his cruelty and enjoyment of violence.
What quotes represent Roger in Lord of the Flies?
In William Golding's allegory, Roger represents sadism. When he is first introduced to readers, he "kept to himself with an inner intensity of avoidance and secrecy." The first depiction of Roger comes in Chapter Four when he stoops and picks up a stone, "that token of preposterous time" and bounces it a few yards from the littl'un Henry who sits on the shore:
Here, invisible yet strong, was the taboo of the old life. Round the squatting child was the protection of parents and school and policemen and the law. Roger's arm was conditioned by a civilization that knew nothing of him and was in ruins.
When Jack approaches him, Roger sees him, "a darker shadow crept beneath the swarthiness of his skin...."
In Chapter Seven, Jack decides to hunt for a pig and taunts Ralph into accompanying him. When Robert pretends to be the pig, Rogers fights to get close. Later, too, Roger becomes a shadowy presence:
Roger, uncommunicative by nature, said nothing. He offered no opinion on the beast nor told Ralph why he had chosen to come on this mad expedition. He simply sat and rocked the trunk gently....Roger was banging his silly wooden stick against something....impervious Roger....
Roger follows Ralph and "lay behind him"; he "bumped fumbled with a his of breath and passed onwards."
In Chapter Eight, when the hunters find a pig, Roger prods
with his spear whenever pigflesh appeared....Roger found a lodgment for his point and began to push till he was leaning with his whole weight.
That Roger has descended into savagery is evinced in Chapter Eleven when he takes up
a small stone and flung it between the twins, aiming to miss. They started and Same only just kept his footing. Some source of power began to pulse in Roger's body.
Ralph tries to call a meeting and reorganize the boys, but he and Piggy are met by "the storm of sound." High above,
High overhead, Roger, with a sense of deliriuous abandonment, leaned all his weight on the lever.
A huge rock strikes Piggy, sending him through the air where he falls forty feet and lands on his back across the square red rock in the sea.
In Chapter Twelve, Sam tells Ralph, "You don't know Roger. He's a terror." Then, "Roger sharpened a stick at both ends." Clearly, the sadism given free rein, Roger becomes more and more brutal and sadistic.
What quotes represent Roger in Lord of the Flies?
In chapter 10, Roger approaches Castle Rock on his own and is stopped by a sentry. After the sentry questions and correctly identifies Roger, he allows him to pass. When the sentry comments that Jack gave them orders to challenge anyone, Roger responds by saying,
You couldn’t stop me coming if I wanted. (Golding, 228)
Roger's comment emphasizes his threatening nature and foreshadows his violent actions. Similar to Jack, Roger has an affinity for violence and is depicted as a sadist. Roger is also a relatively quiet adolescent, which contributes to his ominous, intimidating personality. By challenging the sentry, Roger also reveals that he is confident in his strength and fighting skills. The fact that Roger will not go down without a fight suggests that he could have issues with Jack in the future. In the next chapter, Roger demonstrates his violent, hostile personality by rolling a massive boulder towards Piggy, which kills him instantly.
What quotes represent Roger in Lord of the Flies?
An important quote by Roger is when he suggests that they will never be rescued, showing the dark side of his personality.
Roger is a quiet but moody boy. The other boys are wary of him from the beginning. No one knew him at first. This demonstrates that he is somewhat of an outsider. Roger does begin interjecting himself into the discussion, and usually not on a positive note.
Roger took the conch and looked round at them gloomily.
“I’ve been watching the sea. There hasn’t been the trace of a ship. Perhaps we’ll never be rescued.” (ch 2)
Roger usually does not speak, although he is usually involved in what is going on. When he does talk, he usually says something important or tries to, and because he does not talk much the others listen.
This statement is a direct violation of Ralph’s authority, and he immediately contradicts Roger. He sees Roger as a threat, slowly chipping away at his position.
What quotes represent Roger in Lord of the Flies?
A good quote to examine when considering Roger's character is the scene in which Roger practices throwing stones at Henry but chooses to miss:
"Here invisible, yet strong, was the taboo of the old life. round the squatting child was the protection of parents and school and policemen and the law. Roger's arm was conditioned by a civilization that knew nothing of him and was in ruins" (62).
This quote from Chapter Four reveals Roger's reluctance to trespass the boundaries of civilization. This scene with Roger occurs fairly early on in the novel when the presence of law and order was still strong in the boys' minds. It is interesting to note that the things that hold Roger's arm back, teachers, parents, school, are all exterior sources of motivation to behave correctly and do right; there is no mention of Roger's morals or conscience convicting him. Later as the boys descend more and more into savagery, those old restraints will not be there, and Roger will have no qualms about using violence against the other boys.
The meaning of the "nameless authority" Roger wields towards Samneric in Lord of the Flies
5 Educator Answers
Summary:
The "nameless authority" Roger wields towards Samneric in Lord of the Flies represents the power and control he derives from the group's descent into savagery. It underscores the loss of societal norms and the emergence of primal instincts, allowing Roger to exert dominance without the constraints of civilized behavior.
What is the "nameless authority" that Roger wields towards Samneric in Lord of the Flies?
At the end of chapter eleven, Golding writes that Roger advances upon Samneric "wielding a nameless authority" as he is about to torture them. The nameless authority that Roger wields is Satan and all the wickedness that the devil embodies, which Golding suggests are inherent qualities of mankind. Throughout the novel, Golding illustrates that mankind is inherently evil and capable of brutal acts of savagery in a setting void of civilization's rules and regulations. Roger embodies the evil, primitive nature of mankind and is the most violent, sadistic boy on the island. Golding writes that the "hangman's horror" surrounds Roger as he ominously approaches the twins, who he will gladly torture. Roger also walks past Jack and narrowly avoids shoving him to the side, which implies that he is more evil and intimidating than the leader of the tribe. Roger is emboldened by Satan, who is represented by the Lord of the Flies in the story, and has the freedom to act upon his violent primitive instincts on the uninhabited tropical island.
What is the "nameless authority" that Roger wields towards Samneric in Lord of the Flies?
The nameless authority that Roger holds is fear. It is not the authority of an adult as one might assume. There is no respect in his authority. He commands others because he is ruthless. When he kills Piggy, he shows no remorse and smiles sadistically afterward. He enjoys inflicting pain on others and Sam and Eric perceive this and are only submissive because of the pain he can inflict on them.
What is the "nameless authority" that Roger wields towards Samneric in Lord of the Flies?
When Roger descends upon Samneric to torture the poor little fellows, it's as if he's possessed by some dark, evil force. Though nominally under Jack's control, Roger answers to a higher authority, the authority of the Prince of Darkness himself. This authority is nameless in the sense that it doesn't belong to any one individual; it is something that exists generally and can be answered to by anyone at any time.
On an orthodox Christian interpretation, evil is a permanent feature of the human condition, but it is also a choice. When people commit acts of evil it's because they've exercised their free will to do so. And that's what's happening in the case of Roger. He's chosen to wield the power of evil, grabbing hold of it like a knife, machete, or other deadly weapon.
What is the "nameless authority" that Roger wields towards Samneric in Lord of the Flies?
If you are asking what the nameless authority is, in my opinion, I would assert that authority to be the Devil, evil, or the force that seems to be infecting all the boys as it radiates itself from the "Lord of the Flies". We know that this reference is also used for the Devil himself and I would assert that Golding uses the term "nameless" to describe the authority because Roger has no recognition of that which has taken over him in this last chapter. He has certainly been capable all of the sudden of greater purposeful harm than has yet happened so far in the novel.
Another perspective worth noting is the fact that when people use fear to intimidate or assert power over each other it is often the most terrible kind of authority that exercises no compassion or remorse for people who would be under someone.
Remaining a nameless authority keeps the ideas that the boys have no concept of the truths that they are destroying about humanity. It is always easier that way.
What is the "nameless authority" that Roger wields towards Samneric in Lord of the Flies?
Roger's authority is simple, unadulterated force. No longer is his arm guided by a civilization that doesn't care about him-he is free to destroy as he pleases. And it certainly does please him to hurt. Roger is a sadist in the purest form, one who delights in torturing and causing pain. In fact, just before this particular moment, Roger has committed the first intentional murder on the island. He has cheerfully dropped a rock on Piggy, killing him and shattering the conch.
There is no power left on the island apart from this brutal force. With the conch gone, Ralph cannot even pretend to hold any kind of authority. Jack is now nominally in charge, but it is Roger who carries the true strength. As he advances on the twins, it foreshadows the new regime on the island. Of course, this idea will return when the twins tell Ralph that Roger has "sharpened a stick at both ends." He has returned to his original tactic of torture, seen in the first killing of a pig. This primal, savage streak is what drives Roger, & it is his faceless, nameless authority.
Roger's Intentions When Throwing Stones in Lord of the Flies
3 Educator Answers
Summary:
In Lord of the Flies, Roger's intentions when throwing stones near Henry reflect his inner conflict and the remnants of societal rules. He aims to exert power and instill fear, but he still feels constrained by the ingrained moral codes of civilization, preventing him from directly hitting Henry.
In Lord of the Flies chapter 4, why does Roger aim to miss when throwing stones at a littlun?
In chapter 4 of Lord of the Flies, William Golding begins to distinguish Roger’s personality. The stone-throwing episode hints at Roger’s cruelty, while his sadism clearly emerges later. When he throws stones in the direction of Henry, the biggest of the littluns, but deliberately misses, he is experimenting with the psychological aggression at which he will later prove adept. Roger seems to understand that he wants power, but he has not yet decided to gain that power by making the others fear him. The stone-throwing episode shows his patient, methodical personality as he calculates how to disrupt another boy’s activity in subtle ways.
This episode comes right after he and Maurice have already shown their contempt for the younger boys’ play by kicking over their sandcastles. Henry has gotten involved in different activities, exploring the creatures at the edge of the lagoon. In this case, rather than ruin his play, Roger decides to distract him. Roger tries various approaches, first hiding, then standing in the open. After he throws the stones several feet away from Henry, he hides again. At this point, Roger’s action could be dismissed as an unkind but harmless game. He is still restrained by the norms of their former way of life. The incident serves as foreshadowing of Roger’s escalation into sadism and even attempted murder—but with a boulder, not small stones.
In Lord of the Flies chapter 4, why does Roger aim to miss when throwing stones at a littlun?
Roger's actions are at the center of Golding's theme of the inherent savagery in man. After Roger and Maurice emerge from the forest, Roger exhibits his sadism kicks over the sand castles the litt'uns have built. When Percival whimpers with sand in his eye, Maurice recalls having received "chastisement for filling a young eye with sand," so he becomes uncomfortable and mutters that he is going for a swim and leaves Roger to himself.
He was not noticeably darker than when he had dropped in, but the shock of black hair, down his nape and low on his forehead, seemed to suit his gloomy face and made what had seemed at first an unsociable remoteness into something forbidding.
Roger follows Henry, hiding behind the palms. Then, he waits. Roger bends down, picks up a stone, "that token of preposterous time" and bounces a stone a few yards away from Henry.
Here, invisible yet strong, was the taboo of the old life....Roger's arm was conditioned by a civilization that knew nothing of him and was in ruins.
Indeed, it is Roger's conditioning in society which prevents him from striking Henry; there is yet some fear of punishment for a cruel act. But, as time goes on and the boys have no adult to supervise them, Roger begins to release his sadistic yearnings.
In Lord of the Flies chapter 4, why does Roger aim to miss when throwing stones at a littlun?
The author says that Roger imagines about a 6 foot radius around the littlun that he is throwing rocks at - that radius is created by Roger's memory of parents, teachers, schools, and basically anyone in authority from the boys' former lives. The text says that "Roger's arm was conditioned by a civilization that knew nothing of him and was in ruins."
The scene and significance of Roger throwing stones at Henry in Lord of the Flies
2 Educator Answers
Summary:
In Lord of the Flies, Roger throws stones at Henry to demonstrate his emerging cruelty and the breakdown of societal rules. Though he aims to miss, the act signifies his growing inclination towards violence and foreshadows his later brutal actions, illustrating the theme of inherent human savagery.
Where does Roger throw rocks at Henry in Lord of the Flies?
Roger is throwing rocks at Henry is Chapter 4.
When Roger is throwing rocks at Henry, he is afraid to throw rocks directly at him. Instead, he throws the rocks near him.
Roger stooped, picked up a stone, aimed, and threw it at Henry— threw it to miss. The stone, that token of preposterous time, bounced five yards to Henry’s right and fell in the water. Roger gathered a handful of stones and began to throw them. (Ch. 4)
The reason that Roger is afraid to throw the rocks at Henry is because he is still held back by the cultural norms of society. It is wrong to throw rocks. This is something he has always been told. When he sees the child and throws rocks at him, he is reminded of this.
Yet there was a space round Henry, perhaps six yards in diameter, into which he dare not throw. Here, invisible yet strong, was the taboo of the old life. Round the squatting child was the protection of parents and school and policemen and the law. Roger’s arm was conditioned by a civilization that knew nothing of him and was in ruins. (Ch. 4)
Henry is frightened at first, but then laughs, and looks for “the friend who was teasing him” (Ch. 4). He then gets bored with this and walks away. Jacks calls Roger away, and they paint themselves in order to hunt the pig. In doing this, though, what they are really doing is passing over into the savage world from the civilized one.
When Roger throws the rocks, he is on the threshold of savagery but does not cross over. Something holds him back. Jack, however, recognizes in Roger the potential for true savagery and awakens it. When the boys paint their faces and do the pig chant and dance, they become savage and leave the civilized world behind by degrees.
What is the significance of Roger throwing stones at Henry in Lord of the Flies?
Tracing many of themes of "Lord of the Flies" marks out the downward trajectory from civilised reason to savagery and choas which the book as a whole marks - and Roger's stone throwing is no difference.
When throwing stones at Henry, Roger (who innately seems to enjoy causing pain to the other boys) throws only to miss.
...there was a space round Henry, perhaps six yards in diameter, into which he dare not throw. Here, invisible yet strong, was the taboo of the old life. Round the squatting child was the protection of parents and school and policemen and the law. Roger's arm was conditioned by a civilization that knew nothing of him and was in ruins.
Of course, as the civilisation breaks down, Roger's stone-throwing becomes to hit, and eventually, to kill: this is from shortly before Piggy's death:
Someone was throwing stones: Roger was dropping them, his one hand still on the lever.
And of course, Piggy's death eventually is caused by a (symbolically as well as literally) much larger stone, propelled by Roger: a symbol of the way Roger's sadism has expanded from a suppressed mischief into a terrifying, dominating force.
Roger's responsibilities, duties, and role in Lord of the Flies
2 Educator Answers
Summary:
In Lord of the Flies, Roger's role evolves from being a follower to becoming one of the most violent and sadistic boys on the island. Initially, he has minor responsibilities, but as the story progresses, he becomes Jack's enforcer, embracing his duties with increasing cruelty. Roger's actions symbolize the descent into savagery and the loss of societal norms among the boys.
What is Roger's role in chapter 11 of Lord Of The Flies?
Roger acted as a sentinel at the Castle Rock where Jack and his tribe had set up a fort. It was his job to sound the alarm when Ralph or any of the others approached. His duty was made clear when Jack at one point asked him why he wasn't on watch. He explained that he had just come down, but did not complete his sentence.
Roger was one of the older boys and Jack's right hand. He therefore could be deemed second in command. He was one of the choirboys and was a member of Jack's hunters. Throughout the novel, he is painted as a dangerous character, one with an almost instinctive leaning towards evil. He was secretive and seemed not to like attention as illustrated in the following extract:
There was a slight, furtive boy whom no one knew, who kept to himself with an inner intensity of avoidance and secrecy. He muttered that his name was Roger and was silent again.
Golding consistently paints him as a sinister character who is quite cynical as in the following examples:
The dark boy, Roger, stirred at last and spoke up.
Roger took the conch and looked round at them gloomily. “I’ve been watching the sea. There hasn’t been the trace of a ship. Perhaps we’ll never be rescued.”
Roger is also deliberately destructive and seems to enjoy scaring and even hurting others. He intentionally destroys the littluns castles and later throws stones at Henry whilst hiding from view.
He was not noticeably darker than when he had dropped in, but the shock of black hair, down his nape and low on his forehead, seemed to suit his gloomy face and what had seemed at first an unsociable remoteness into something forbidding.
When he and Jack capture a pig, it is Roger who seems to relish the idea of inflicting pain on the helpless creature:
Roger found a lodgment for his point and began to push till he was leaning with his whole weight. The spear moved forward inch by inch and the terrified squealing became a high pitched scream.
It is therefore hardly surprising that he is responsible for Piggy's horrific death. Roger had intentionally pushed on a lever to dislodge a large rock which bounded down, first shattering the conch and then knocking Piggy over the ledge, hurtling him forty feet down to his demise.
What is Roger's duty at the fortress in Lord of the Flies?
Golding gives us the answer to this one just after Piggy has been killed by Roger.
Presently the tribe returned noisily to the neck where Roger joined them. The Chief spoke to him angrily. 'Why aren't you on watch?' Roger looked at him gravely.'I just came down -' The hangman's horror clung to him.
Roger's role at the fortress seems officially to be "watchman". Though what he actually becomes is the devisor of tortures - the official torturer and sadist, who seems to take some pleasure in causing pain. It is Roger, who, at the end of a novel, has sharpened a stick at both ends - for reasons undeclared by Golding, but his killing of Piggy has already bred in the reader's mind a real fear of what he might do:
Ralph stood facing them, a little to one side, his spear ready. By him stood Piggy still holding out the talisman, the fragile, shining beauty of the shell. The storm of sound beat at them, an incantation of hatred. High overhead, Roger, with a sense of delirious abandonment, leaned all his weight on the lever.
"Delirious abandonment". Out of context, it sounds like someone on a funfair ride. Roger's official role is watchman, but his role in the novel is far more ominous - a shy, sinister, sadist.
Roger's motivations for killing Piggy in Lord of the Flies
3 Educator Answers
Summary:
Roger's motivations for killing Piggy stem from his descent into savagery and the loss of societal constraints. Without the rules and consequences of civilization, Roger's inherent cruelty and desire for power are unleashed, leading him to commit murder without remorse.
In Lord of the Flies, why does Roger kill Piggy with a rock?
Roger kills Piggy because he can, and he has realized that no one on the island can or will limit his cruelty. Early on in the novel, Roger tests the boundaries of his bullying in the chapter "Painted Faces and Long Hair." He stalks little Henry down the beach, and just when Roger is sure that nobody is watching, he begins to throw pebbles at Henry, but throws to miss. The narrator comments that Roger's arm was held back by the "taboo of the old life;" and Roger still recognized the boundaries put into place by "parents and school and policemen and the law" (62).
On that fateful day at Castle Rock, Roger has lost his old inhibitions. He stands high overhead on an outlook where an extremely large boulder balances precariously while Piggy below delivers his speech on fairness and the importance of the law and rescue, all of which are ideas that Roger probably detests. Roger leans on the lever placed under the rock with "a sense of delirious abandonment," a descriptive phrase which indicates Roger's wholesale enjoyment of the deed; he derives immense pleasure out of others' suffering (180).
Why did Roger kill Piggy in Lord of the Flies?
To put it bluntly, Roger kills Piggy because he can. From the beginning of the time the group of boys are stranded on the uninhabited island, Roger showcases his cruelty, and it is apparent that becomes even more cruel as he grows accustomed to the lack of societal structures and authority.
By the day of Piggy's murder, Roger has lost all his former inhibitions that prevented him earlier from throwing stones directly at little Henry on the beach. While Roger is standing high on Castle Rock, he watches Piggy standing below, making his speech. Piggy, as one of the last boys to hold on to his sanity and social scruples, is speaking about logical matters such as the importance of rescue and of law and order. Such matters are in stark contrast to the way of life that Roger wants to pursue as a member of Jack's tribe, and it is with an alarming level of enjoyment that he sets a boulder rolling down the mountain and watches it crush and kill Piggy. He would likely be overjoyed to note that his action also crushes the conch shell, which has been used, with ever-decreasing success, to maintain a sense of order among the boys.
How does Roger's transformation lead to Piggy's death in Lord of the Flies?
Roger is the boy who, from the very beginning of the story, tests the boundaries of what depths of savagery are acceptable. In chapter four it is Roger who begins to push at the limits of sociopathic behavior by tormenting Percival, Henry and Johnny and then following Henry and throwing rocks at him. He can't quite bring himself to hit Henry yet but that quickly changes.
Roger's descent into violence and savagery is displayed again when he tortures the sow to death by ramming a sharpened stick into its anus; he clearly revels in the horrific pain the animal feels. This progression into a truly violent and sadistic state is important as it leads to Piggy's death.
There is no particular reason why Roger pushes the boulder off the cliff to fall and crush Piggy, other than his lust for violence and blood. The murder of Piggy marks Roger breaking the last boundary of society.
What caused Samneric's fears in Lord of the Flies and how did they cope?
1 Educator Answer
In chapter six, Samneric are stationed on the top of the mountain, maintaining the signal fire at night when they catch a glimpse of the dead paratrooper, who was shot out of the sky and landed in the trees on the top of the mountain. The two boys mistake the dead paratrooper's corpse for the beast and immediately sprint down the mountain in fear.
Samneric proceed to tell the boys that they witnessed the malevolent beast on the top of the mountain and claim that the beast chased them down the mountain. Samneric are frightened and overwhelmed after witnessing the "beast" and look towards Ralph for guidance and protection. Samneric initially trust that Ralph can protect them from the beast and refrain from joining Jack's group of savages.
Their fears regarding the beast prevent them from rationally dealing with the issue, as they look to Ralph for answers. Eventually, Jack threatens to kill them, and Samneric reluctantly join his tribe towards the end of the story.
Do Sam and Eric admit their involvement in Simon's death in Lord of the Flies?
1 Educator Answer
Quick answer:
Samneric do not admit their involvement in Simon's death. Instead, they take their cues from Piggy, who wants to deny that any of them were involved. The twins, now ashamed of what they participated in, say they left Jack's dance early because they were tired.
The twins are embarrassed at taking part in Simon’s death, so they pretend they were not there.
Simon dies after the boys have a ceremonial dance during the pig roast and accidentally kill him, mistaking him for the beast. It is a result of their over-exuberance and Jack’s gang’s savagery. Piggy, Simon, Ralph, and the twins were supposed to be above all of that, but they were drawn in by the smell of the meat and the attraction of the barbarity.
All of the boys are embarrassed and overwhelmed with Simon’s death, so they pretend they were not there the next day. When Ralph and Piggy run into the twins, they pretend that they were not really there.
“We just been in the forest—”
“—to get wood for the fire—”
“—we got lost last night.”
Ralph examined his toes.
“You got lost after the. . . ”
Piggy cleaned his lens.
“After the feast,” said Sam in a stifled voice. Eric nodded. “Yes, after the feast.” (Ch. 10)
The boys all realize that they are supposed to be the civilized ones. Now they have an unspoken agreement to pretend that nothing happened. They are all awkwardly lying to each other, pretending that they were not there and did not take part in Simon’s murder.
Ralph is the one that does not want to just let things go. He is very disturbed by “what they did.” He seems traumatized, rocking backing and forth.
“Look, Ralph. We got to forget this. We can’t do no good thinking about it, see?”
“I’m frightened. Of us. I want to go home. Oh God, I want to go home.”
“It was an accident,” said Piggy stubbornly, “and that’s that.” (Ch. 10)
The irony of this is that while Piggy keeps insisting that they should ignore what happened, he will become a target himself next. Piggy does not want to tell Samneric that they were there, but Ralph knows that all of them were.
Piggy’s insistence that they hold on to the fantasy that everything is all right shows that he is desperate for stability, even though the group is losing it. Ralph, on the other hand, is aware that civilization has completely broken down. As the group's leader, he takes personal responsibility for Simon's death, acknowledging that the breakdown in the group is his fault. He feels this failure deeply.
In Lord of the Flies, what is the author's portrayal of the society Maurice originates from?
"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 formed the uncertain outlines of an excuse. he muttered something about a swim and broke into a trot."
1 Educator Answer
In chapter four, Maurice and Roger run onto the beach, where the littluns are playing, and Maurice throws sand in Percival's eyes. As Maurice runs away, Percival begins to whimper, and Golding writes,
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 formed the uncertain outlines of an excuse. He muttered something about a swim and broke into a trot (84).
Golding is commenting on civilization and how Maurice would have been chastised for unnecessarily harming another person. In the society where Maurice was raised, rules and regulations were in place to prevent individuals from harming others. Civilization is founded on institutions that protect innocent individuals and punish people for breaking laws. Maurice's brief, instinctual excuse reveals that he is conditioned by society to not offend or harm others.
However, Maurice is on an uninhabited island, where rules and regulations do not apply. On the island, Golding depicts how the boys revert back to their primitive nature by acting like brutal savages. Maurice's minor act of throwing sand in Percival's eyes depicts how he and the other boys are gradually becoming more savage and distancing themselves from the rules and regulations they were once conditioned to follow.
In Lord of the Flies, what happens to Percival when he takes the conch?
2 Educator Answers
Percival is a littlun, and when Ralph opens up the evening meeting to talk about the boys' fears, he comes forward to speak. Piggy kneels by him with the conch and asks him his name. He doesn't respond because he's too nervous to speak, and the boys all break out into a chant, "What's your name? What's your name?" He starts to repeat his name, address, and telephone number, but when he can't remember his phone number, he begins to wail. That sets a number of other littluns off, and there is a deafening lament. Maurice starts to clown around to distract the boys, and then they laugh uproariously, with the biguns joining in. Finally Jack loses patience and, even though he doesn't have the conch, approaches Percival and grills him about the beast, shaking him and asking him where he thinks the beast lives. All the emotional venting, as well as the lateness of the hour, makes Percival sleepy, and he begins to yawn and stagger. He whispers his answer to Jack and then falls asleep in the long grass. Jack relates that Percival told him that "the beast comes out of the sea."
When Percival takes the conch to speak, he is unable to get any words to come out of his mouth. He finally must whisper his words to Piggy who then tells the rest of the boys what Percival is saying. This is ironic because at the beginning of the story, Percival's response to everything was to repeat his name, phone number and address. Now, he has forgotten what was obviously very important information that he parents had taught him in case of emergency. Thus, we can see the deteriorating effect of civilization on the rest of the boys through Percival's inability to speak.
The Littluns' Role and Symbolism in Lord of the Flies
8 Educator Answers
Summary:
In William Golding's Lord of the Flies, the littluns, or younger boys aged six to eight, symbolize the vulnerable and helpless members of society. Initially carefree on the island, they become fearful after a fire and the disappearance of one of their own, reflecting the loss of innocence. They are manipulated by older boys like Ralph and Jack, representing the power dynamics and moral decline. Their presence highlights the societal breakdown and the inherent wickedness in humanity.
How do the littluns develop in chapter 3 of Lord of the Flies?
In Chapter 2 of Lord of the Flies, the littluns, the little boys who for the most part aren't given individual names by Golding, have been playing contentedly on the island. Some pitched in with gathering some sticks for firewood, but mostly they have been running free, playing on the beach and in the woods. The only child who has expressed fear is a little boy with a mulberry colored birthmark on his cheek who relates his fear of the "snake-thing" or "beastie" he has seen. When the older boys discount his fears, the littluns return to their play.
However, in Chapter 3, after the fire the boys built has destroyed part of the island and the boy with the birthmark can't be found, all the littluns become fearful. Ralph points out the change in them to Jack. He explains that the littluns dream at night and that he can hear them, meaning they are having nightmares. They talk and scream and behave "as if it wasn't a good island." This shows that the littluns have developed beyond thinking being alone on the island is a game and have become frightened. Although they focus their fears on "the beastie," it is actually just a way of objectifying the terror that they feel as the novelty of their situation wears off and the reality of it begins to sink in to their young minds.
Who are the littluns in Lord of the Flies?
The littluns are the youngest boys on the island. They are referred to in the collective sense which suggests that their individual identities are not of importance. One of the biggest ways that the littluns contribute to the story is that they help develop the other characters. For example, Jack has little concern for the littluns, and even suggests that a littlun be used as the pig in their next dance reenacting a successful hunt. His lack of concern for their safety and laughter at the thought of "hunting" one adds to his savage characterization. Piggy takes care of the littluns and is the only one that tries to record their names so they can be looked after properly. This helps develop Piggy's character as nurturing and maternal.
Who are the littluns in Lord of the Flies?
In Lord of the Flies, the littluns are the smaller boys on the island. As stated in the above response, there does not seem to be a definitive age at which the boys are considered either littluns or biguns. The littluns are characterized as the boys who need to be taken care of by the older boys who assume positions of leadership on the island. Most of the littluns are not named; however, there are some who are prominent. For example, Percival is one of the named littluns--he is the smallest boy on the island and he is symbolic of the irrational fear that the boys have of things coming to "get" them. Percival is often heard crying, and he sets the other littluns on edge. Another prominent littlun is the boy with the mulberry scar--although he remains unnamed, he is symbolic of the boys' downfall because he goes missing early in the story.
What do the "little'uns" symbolize in Lord of the Flies?
Readers often like to make symbolic significance out of characters, but even William Golding stated that the characters in Lord of the Flies are symbolic. The "little'uns" are no exception. While the little'uns might not be a single character, they are no less symbolic.
One thing to keep in mind about symbolism is the reader. Symbolism is inherently subjective, and different readers could interpret the little'un symbolism differently. With that said, it is fairly common for readers to agree on the notion that the little'uns symbolically represent the helpless and/or weak members of a society.
Weak and under served members of society are often treated as a nameless and faceless group. While Golding doesn't leave every little'un without a name, the text does frequently group all of the young kids together. They are basically a nameless and faceless group. Their young age, when compared to the rest of the group, means that they are treated as ignorant, naïve, and/or innocent. They are even treated as pawns to be controlled by Jack and Ralph. Their leadership depends on followers, and having more pawns/little'uns supporting one side is advantageous. In the grand scheme of things, the little'uns hold zero power. They are only beneficial in numbers, and a loss of one or two isn't something to be overly worried about, and that is exactly how many chess players use their pawns. The little'uns symbolize the weaker and more helpless members of a society who are frequently used and thrown away by the more powerful social and political leaders like Ralph and Jack.
Who are the littluns in Lord of the Flies and what is their condition on the island?
The littluns make up the younger population of boys stranded on the island in Lord of the Flies. Golding dedicates the first part of chapter four to provide characterization for this group of characters:
"The undoubted littluns, those aged about six, led a quite distinct, and at the same time intense life of their own" (59).
The narrator details their lifestyle on the island as one primarily concerned with picking and eating fruit and playing in the sand on the beach. At night, "they suffered untold terrors in the dark and huddled together for comfort;" as the notion of a beast is introduced, their fear becomes increasingly significant (59). The presence of the littluns influence both Jack and Ralph's leadership. By building shelters and making rules to keep life on the island orderly, Ralph's actions reveal him to be concerned about taking care of the littluns and providing for their needs. Jack, on the other hand, plays on the littluns' weakness and fear, using their terror of the alleged beast to frighten and control the other bigguns.
What is the function of the littluns in Lord of the Flies?
The littluns (little ones) perform two functions in the novel. First, they symbolize innocence; they are too young to participate in the power struggles that the older boys engage in. They are literally innocent children who merely observe and occasional comment on the action. Like a canary in a coal mine, it is the mulberry-marked face littlun who first sees the "beastie in the dark."
Second, they provide a source of conflict in the novel. Ralph is concerned about protecting the littluns and ensuring their safety, while Jack just wants to increase his tribal numbers so that he can seize power from Ralph.
What do the littl'uns represent in Golding's Lord of the Flies?
Much like the Roman mob in Shakespeare's tragic play, Julius Caesar, the littl'uns are led by whoever has the most persuasive techniques. While the Romans are first swayed by the reasonable arguments of Brutus, and shout their approval of him, Marc Antony engages them with his funeral oration in which he employs rhetorical language, employing visual effects such as the bloody stab wounds in Caesar; he persuades the mob that Caesar loved them enough that he bequeathed money to them,. In fact, the Roman citizenry are so incited by Marc Antony that they riot in the streets.
Similarly, at first the littl'uns are respectufl to Ralph and Piggy sho appeal to their reason by explaining that shelters and fire must be maintained. However, when Percival relates his dream and sighting of the "beast," and their fears are aroused, along with their hunger, Jack--like Marc Antony--appeals to their stomachs and their emotional needs, telling the small boys that he can kill the beast if there is one just as he and the hunters kill the pig, providing them food. Thus, the littl'uns are persuaded to join Jack and the hunters since man's primal needs must always first be satiated. And, when brute force is added to the equation, there is only one response for the littl'uns: savagery.
By their being persuaded and manipulated by the older boys, the littl'uns represent the "herd" that is often much of mankind. They are the common, uneducated, and deprived who follow the stronger leader--humanity at its base level. As such, they provide the voting power for the leaders who are cognizant of their immature and underdeveloped reasoning ability.
What are the characteristics of the "littleuns" in Lord of the Flies?
The littleuns range in age, likely between five years old and nine years old but it is never really indicated how many of each age there are. They seem to be unaffected in a certain way by their situation, perhaps too young to really think hard about it they just play and try to survive as best they can.
They are described by Ralph as "hopeless," as they cannot contribute to their efforts to build shelters or keep a fire going in a meaningful way. They don't stay focused and simply need to be fed and taken care of. They seem to follow whomever appears to have the most authority and, as time goes on, gravitate towards Jack who provides meat and doesn't demand as much of them as Ralph does.
In most of the story they serve as background in a way, particularly in the beginning when they serve to highlight the fact that Roger is a budding sociopath.
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