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The Demons Inside Latent in every man, there resides a demonic force. This so-called force is generally kept in check by the rational part of human nature, but in the absence of reason or social pressure, it breaks out in barbaric bloodletting. William Golding said this and displayed his beliefs in his novel, The Lord of the Flies. The boys start out very much civilized, but by the time of their rescue, have lost all hope of order.
Golding uses many symbols in his novel to represent the deterioration of order and civilization. Some of the main characters he uses to show this include Percival Wemys Madison, Ralph, Jack Merridew, and Piggy. Golding shows his readers that a world without order is a world full of chaos. Percival Wemys Madison is one of the littles in the novel. Throughout the novel, Golding uses Percival to show the different stages of the deteriorating civilization. At the beginning when Piggy is collecting names, Percival stands up and recites his name, address, and telephone number.
This is symbolic of the fact that civilization is still present. Later, Percival is again asked for his name. He stands and begins with, Percival Wemys Madison. The Vicarage, Harcourt St.
Anthony, Hants, telephone, telephone, tele- (86). The fact that Percival can not remember his telephone number is a symbol of the society breaking apart. When the boys are finally rescued, Percival runs to the officer, looks up and says, Im, Im- (201). At the end all hope of civilization is lost, Percival can not remember anything. Golding also uses Ralph to show society breaking apart. Throughout the novel Ralph tries to establish and encourage order and a plan for rescue.
Ralph calls a meeting, and when he is chosen to be chief, he decides to establish rules. The first rule that Ralph comes up with is to give the conch to the next person to speak. He can hold it when hes speaking (33). The fact that Ralph comes up with rules is very good, but in the process, he fails to establish consequences for those who break the rules. Ralph's main plan for rescue is to build a fire and hope that a passing ship will notice the smoke. He finds it difficult to get everyone to participate and carry out his responsibilities.
Ralph is one of the only boys who does not turn to savagery, but some of his actions are questionable. Ralph participates in the beating of one of the boys in a ritual hunt, and also there is question about his involvement in Simons murder. Because Ralph is a leader, his participation in some of these events may influence the other boys. At first, all of the boys are on his side, wanting rules and regulations. And by the end everyone, who is still alive, is against him. To show society deteriorating, Golding uses Jack Merridew, leader of the choirboys.
Jack feels that he would be the best choice for chief. When he is not chosen, the conflict between him and Ralph begins. He disagrees with everything Ralph does and makes it clear to the boys that he could do better. For instance, in the middle of a meeting that Ralph has called, Jack stands up and says, So this is a meeting to find out whats what. Ill tell you whats what. (82). Jack has leadership instinct which is shown when he breaks away from Ralph to form his own tribe.
He and his followers become savages, and from there on civilization goes downhill. Jack will do anything to become the leader of all of the boys, even if it means killing those who will not follow him. First Jack paints his face, then he hunts, and then he kills. When Jacks tribe kills Piggy, it is a true example of how they have become savages. Golding shows Jack at the beginning of the novel when he says that they are not savages and then progresses on to when they chant, Kill the beast!
Cut his throat! Spill his blood! (152). The way Jack changes from a choir director to a heartless savage in the novel is very symbolic of the deterioration of civilization. Golding uses the character Piggy as a symbol of intelligence.
He wears thick spectacles which, throughout the book, are symbolic of the society breaking apart. First, his glasses are used to start a fire, which in turn kills one of the littles. Later on, one of the lenses will break and Jack will steal the glasses during a raid. When Piggy has his glasses, there are still traces of civilization, even when he only has one lens left, but when Jack steals them all hope of this is gone. After Jack and his tribe raid Ralph's shelter, Jack runs off, and from his left hand dangled Piggy's broken glasses (168). Even though Ralph and Piggy know there is no hope for them, they will go and try to reason with Jack.
They arrive at Jacks hideout and it is obvious that they are full-blown savages. This meeting ends with the murder of Piggy, and civilization is lost. There is a beast inside of everyone, just waiting to come out. In The Lord of the Flies, William Golding shows what it takes to release this monster and rid of civilization as a whole. Golding develops the characters Percival, Ralph, Jack, and Piggy as symbols of the deterioration of society. The beginning of the novel shows little boys looking to have a grand adventure on an island, but in the end, the results are catastrophic.
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Research essay sample on Lord Of The Flies Golding Shows
