IndexIntroductionCivilization versus savagery in 'Lord of the Flies'ConclusionReferencesIntroduction“The line between civilization and savagery is thin. To anyone who thinks they would never go through this, I can only say you've never known what it's like to be completely betrayed and abandoned, you can't know how close it is. Powerful words spoken by Jacqueline Carey, a well-known American writer. The human mind is often occupied by two diametrically opposed instincts, both of which require attention at various moments of a person's existence. Through reading William Golding's novel Lord of the Flies, the audience is challenged to take note of this often ferocious dance between civilization and savagery, which is the focus of this essay. The impulsive conflict that often exists between the two emerges as a significant crux in the novel, driving some of the boys to madness while on the island. Perhaps, in direct contrast to this perspective, the author may have wanted to present not a comparison between civilization and savagery, but rather an opportunity to simply examine the childish behaviors of kids growing up in a new and unfamiliar neighborhood, full of antics and superficial alliances. With countless reference points throughout the novel, the author used the island as an isolated setting to dramatically portray the struggles between the boys. The kids who then have to choose between the benefits of civilization or the victories of wild behavior. The establishment of agreed-upon rules was quickly eroded by most of the kids who originally worked to establish them. The ensuing chaos and savagery led to the seemingly senseless act of killing two innocent young boys while on the island. Symbolically, this maniacal desire to choose the path of ferocity finally manifested itself in the barbaric killing of the third pig. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Civilization versus savagery in "Lord of the Flies" Savagery versus civilization is clearly illustrated through the creation of rules that are quickly eroded by a large portion of the boys who originally worked in concert to establish them. The children created rules to help them see eye to eye and to facilitate agreement and cooperation by referring to each child expressing their ideas and opinions. This is confirmed by Ralph's words: “'And one more thing. We can't have everyone talking at once. We will have to do 'Hands up' like at school.... I will give the conch to the next person who speaks. He can hold it while he talks.'” (31) Throughout the novel the conch comes to symbolize order, authority, and civility among all the boys. The boys are thrilled to have rules, and the conch's indefinable power to maintain civility among its followers is clearly evident. Having these rules established shows how civilized some kids are and how Ralph and Jack allow the kids to have an equal say. If one of the kids has the shell, whatever the situation, that person can speak. Furthermore, within just a few hours of establishing the conch's power we begin to notice a change in Jack, observing his detachment from the suffocating grip on his desire to extinguish all need for civilization. “'I got the conch,' said Piggy indignantly, 'Let me talk.' 'The conch doesn't count at the top of the mountain,' said Jack, 'so shut up.'” (42) Later in the novel, Jack continues this theme of defiance by stating: “'We don't need the shell anymore. We know who should say things... it's time some people knew they should shut up and let them decidethings to the rest of us.'” (110,111) Jack's initial desires to follow the rules with the conch now suggest something entirely different. The use of the word "shut up" shows that Jack is losing interest in respecting the established rules of civility. The author thus foreshadows how Jack will behave later in the novel. The phrase "we know who should say things" shows that Jack does not want the boys to share power equally, which in the long run could lead to fierce competition between the boys. Having rules leads to a peaceful community and lets people know what should and shouldn't happen. If the system collapses, that's when chaos ensues and delinquent response patterns begin to emerge. The savagery against civilization is also shown through the resulting chaos and savagery which results in the killing of two innocent boys and the disappearance of a third. . As the hunters conclude a feast with dancing and singing until sunset, we watch as they evolve into reckless savages as they kill Simon. “Immediately the crowd rushed after it, poured down the rock, threw itself on the beast, shouted, struck, bit, tore. There were no words and no movement except the rattling of teeth and claws. (169) Jack and his hunters mistook Simon for the beast because he crawled out of the forest on all fours. After this horrendous act, they don't think about it; this shows how little civility Jack and his hunters brood within each other. Completely against this reaction, Ralph realizes that something bad happened that night, something that can never be erased from their memories. Readers see this play out in Ralph's conversation with Piggy where these two characters discuss the night of Simon's murder, “'Piggy.' "Huh?" "That was Simon." "You said it before." "Pig." "Huh?" 'That was murder.'” (172) Since Ralph is still civilized, he was one of those who realized that someone had been killed, and that everyone should be guilty - Because one of their friends was now dead. Furthermore, Jack and his hunters also killed Piggy in a horrible way. “High above, Roger, with a sense of delirious abandon, rested all his weight on the lever. …. The rock hit Piggy with a glancing blow from chin to knee. …. Piggy, without saying anything, without even time for a grunt, traveled through the air sideways to the rock, turning as he went. (200) Piggy was killed in utter savagery; his death was deliberate and Jack did not regret doing so. Jack's exasperation and frustration with Piggy's need for civility, in all its forms, inevitably led him to destroy Piggy in savage rage. This is evidence of Jack's diminishing ability to maintain the level of civility he initially demonstrated at the beginning of his time on the island. Before Piggy was killed, he and Ralph were the only two civilized guys on the island who stood up and said what needed to be said for a long time. "Piggy shouted again 'Which is better: to have rules and agree, or to hunt and kill?' Again the clamor and again: "Zup." Ralph shouted against the noise 'Which is better, law and rescue, or hunting and destroying things?'" (200) Ralph and Piggy are the faces of civilization on the island, trying to prove that the expectation of civilization is far better than raw savagery, much to the dismay of Jack and his entourage. They stress that it's not always about going out and hunting, but rather essential things the kids could do on the island, like building shelters and keeping fires going. The most important thing is that Ralph is still trying to establish himself as a leader as he expresses his points in one tone.