Themes: The End of Innocence and Nature of Evil
One of the central themes of Lord of the Flies is that all humans, even innocent children, are inherently drawn towards evil. The boys begin as relative innocents who view war as a game and have little moral or social awareness beyond their upbringings. However, their naivety with regards to human nature cannot last; the presence of evil on the island quickly becomes undeniable. Golding posits that evil is an innate defect in human nature, an inescapable imperative that must be controlled and contained by an ethical society. Without the bounds of society to contain them, the boys are forced to confront humanity’s inherent evil. In doing so, they lose the innocence that allows them to view the world as good and just, instead succumbing to the “infinite cynicism of adult life.”
Rather than portraying violence and evil as outliers, Lord of the Flies positions morality and reason as minority forces that must overcome the ghastly defects of human nature. The majority of the boys succumb to wickedness, painting their faces and exulting in violence. For the boys, the draw towards evil is strong and immediate, with savagery representing the path of freedom and individualism, whereas morality and reason require sacrifice and the privileging of communal priorities over individual desires. By portraying evil as the more attractive option to the boys on the island, Golding highlights the “essential illness” that plagues humanity: given free reign, humanity’s innate capacity for evil will always win out.
Golding uses biblical symbols and motifs to reinforce both the nature of evil and the boys’ loss of innocence. The nature of evil is comprised of two major components: the knowledge of evil and the perpetration of evil. Jack is the leader of a church choir, whose “voices had been the songs of angels” when they arrived on the island. The arrival of innocent beings on an Edenic island evokes the biblical story of Adam and Eve, who were born innocent and with no knowledge of evil. They were tempted by a serpent into consuming fruit that gave them knowledge of good and evil, destroying their innocence. Similarly, the boys see a snake-like beast on the island and are forced to recognize the nature of evil, ending their innocence.
While acknowledgement of evil is modeled through the Edenic narrative, perpetration of evil is represented by the Lord of the Flies. The choirs’ transformation from “angelic” children to violent savages mirrors the fall from grace of Satan, who is often depicted as a fallen angel and the incarnation of evil itself. The Lord of the Flies, the sow’s head that Jack’s tribe mounts on a stick, is named after Beelzebub, a figure often conflated with Satan, highlighting the boys’ loss of heavenly innocence and descent into evil.
Knowledge of evil is positioned as incompatible with innocence. The nature of evil is corrosive, overwhelming any goodness or virtue that exists. The death of Simon, a Christ-like figure, plunges all of the boys into sin, and they spiral into chaos, savagery, and destruction. By the time the boys are rescued, they have burned down the fruit trees and rendered the island largely uninhabitable. By portraying the boys’ longed-for rescuer as the captain of a warship, Golding extends his theme to all of humanity. Within all humans there exists a pull towards evil, and it seems that only once the boys have been completely stripped of their innocence can they return to the ranks of the adult world.
Expert Q&A
What is the meaning of the following quote from "Lord of the Flies"?
"Jack himself shrank at this cry with a hiss of indrawn breath, and for a minute became less a hunter than a furtive thing, ape-like among the tangle of trees."
The quote from "Lord of the Flies" highlights Jack's transformation into a primal, animalistic state. As he hunts in the forest, he connects with his inner beast, reacting instinctively rather than rationally. This shift is amplified by vivid descriptions of his physical state, likening him to an animal. The imagery foreshadows Jack's eventual descent into savagery, abandoning reason to embrace a bloodthirsty, ruthless nature. This transformation underscores Golding's commentary on mankind's inherent savagery overpowering reason, leading to destruction and death.
Why is the near forgetfulness of Ralph's group about the fire's purpose significant in Lord of the Flies?
In "Lord of the Flies", the near forgetfulness of Ralph's group about the fire's purpose is significant as it signals their detachment from civilization and the crumbling of their societal structure. The boys' inability to remember why they need to maintain the fire suggests a loss of focus and understanding, influenced by the fear of the beast and Jack's tribe. This shift towards savagery, marked by the fading significance of the fire, dramatically reduces their chances of rescue.
Analyze the scene where the boys kill the sow in Lord of the Flies.
In Lord of the Flies, the scene where the boys kill the sow highlights their descent into savagery. The sow, nursing her piglets and representing motherhood, is brutally killed by Jack and Roger in a sexually charged and violent act. This killing symbolizes the boys' frustrations and their complete break from civilization, as they transition from innocence to barbarism. The act foreshadows further violence against defenseless characters, marking a pivotal moment in their savage transformation.
What is the significance of the weapons used at the end of Lord of the Flies?
The weapons used at the end of Lord of the Flies symbolize the boys' complete descent into savagery. Roger's sharpened stick, intended to impale Ralph's head, mirrors the weapon used for the sow's head, marking a shift to premeditated murder. Ralph's use of a spear and dehumanization of his enemies further reflects this barbarity. The primitive weapons and tactics underscore the abandonment of civilization.
In Lord of the Flies, why does the story increasingly take place in near darkness or night?
In "Lord of the Flies," the increasing darkness symbolizes the boys' descent into savagery and the loss of civilization. The near darkness or night settings create an ominous atmosphere that aligns with the novel's themes of inherent human wickedness and chaos. The moon and stars offer a faint hope for rescue, while stormy weather and intense heat reflect the escalating brutality and hostility among the boys, culminating in violent acts like Simon's murder.
Quotes from "Lord of the Flies" that depict the descent into savagery
Quotes from "Lord of the Flies" that depict the descent into savagery include: "Kill the pig. Cut her throat. Spill her blood." Another powerful example is, "The mask was a thing on its own, behind which Jack hid, liberated from shame and self-consciousness." These quotes illustrate the boys' transformation from civilized children to savage hunters.
Symbolism and Meaning of the Sow's Killing in "Lord of the Flies"
The killing of the sow in Lord of the Flies is a pivotal scene symbolizing the boys' descent into savagery. This brutal act, vividly depicted, highlights the loss of civility and the rise of inherent evil among the boys, particularly Jack and Roger. The scene foreshadows future violence, such as Simon's murder, and represents a point of no return in their moral decline. The chant "Kill the pig, cut her throat..." underscores their transformation into a savage mob, reflecting Golding's theme of mankind's inherent brutality.
Significance and Origin of "Lord of the Flies" Title
The title Lord of the Flies is a translation of "Beelzebub," a name for the devil, symbolizing inherent evil. The novel explores themes of savagery and moral decay, as the boys' descent into chaos is epitomized by the pig's head, "the Lord of the Flies," symbolizing their inner brutality. The title's biblical and mythological references highlight humanity's innate propensity for evil, a central theme in Golding’s narrative, reflecting on the darkness within human nature.
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