Civilization in Lord of the Flies - 546 Words

Civilization has been a pinnacle of human achievement since it appeared. To be called uncouth is a grave insult. However, is civilization truly a part of who humans are or is what they have come to associate with savagery more true to the human heart? Through Peter Brook and William Golding’s presentation of Lord of the Flies share the idea that â€Å"savagery† will overcome rational thought and when structure falls, the primitive mind will rule, Brook shows this primitiveness as more a part of the human psyche than an evil to be eliminated. Savagery overcomes forms of logical thought that has been revolutionized and prized by humans since the dawn of learning. When given a task to earn the children salvation, Jack abandons his duty and goes off hunting (pg. 70). If he had thought it through properly, Jack would have realized that all the meat he could dream of is at his home. Even if he were catering to his ego, Jack should have realized that there is no grander or mo re revered deed than saving all the children with his vigilance. After the second feast, Jack orders everyone to fight off the rain with a rain dance (pg. 151). A dance cannot possibly stop or affect atmospheric events. As a school boy, this logic should have been ingrained into him from his early childhood. As soon as any form of structure disappears, the previous ways of humans will immediately jump in and take over the human mind. Within an hour of crashing upon the island, â€Å"Ralph inspected the whole thirtyShow MoreRelatedLord of the Flies - Civilization vs Savagery2896 Words   |  12 Pageswar, Golding resumed teaching and wrote his first novel, Lord of the Flies. Lord Of The Flies tells us the story of a handful of young schoolboys who had been marooned on an island as the plane that they were travelling, on to escape the war was shot down. The only survivors were the passengers, British schoolchildren between the ages of six and thirteen. It revolves around how the children cope without the structure of authority, civilization and the watchful eye of grown ups. Though the novel isRead More Battle between Civilization and Savagery in Lord of the Flies1804 Words   |  8 PagesBattle between Civilization and Savagery in Lord of the Flies    Civilization today has become almost completely reliant on technology. Almost the entire planet is connected by phone lines, roads, air travel, or the internet. People converse with others thousands of miles away through modern connections, watch live broadcasts of news in foreign lands, or talk on wireless phones by use of satellites. We are governed by laws designed to protect us. We live in heated homes with fresh waterRead MoreLord Of The Flies Civilization Vs Savagery Analysis1209 Words   |  5 PagesCivilization as a whole is capable of savagery if they do not recognize their own flaws. In the novel Lord of the Flies by William Golding, a group of British schoolboys are stuck on an island. In this World War II allegorical story, savagery is infectious and spreading quickly. The struggle of civilization versus savagery and the dream of rescue are the main focus of the boys. The author uses the way Ralph changes throughout the novel to illustrate how close humans are to s avagery if they do notRead MoreA Fragile Civilization in The Lord of the Flies by William Golding1531 Words   |  7 PagesThe lord of the flies is a novel by William Golding author published in 1954 that shows fragility of civilization. It describes the regressive course of children themselves. After a plane crash, a group of children found alone without adults on a deserted island. Quickly the group organized in a democratic pattern: they choose by-election a leader, Ralph, and decide the role of each. Meetings organized, privileged moments lyrics. Various incidents and life which looks tougher as they thought initiallyRead MoreEssay about Lord of the Flies: Civilization vs Savagery775 Words   |  4 Pageschoose to live by one or the other depending on how we feel is the correct way to live. In this allegorical novel, William Golding represents the transformation from civilization to savagery in the conflict between two of the main characters: Ralph who represents law and order and Jack who represents savagery and violence. Lord of the Flies has remained a very controversial novel to this day with its startling, brutal, and truthful picture of the human nature. In the beginning, human influence was startingRead MoreCivilization Versus Savagery in Goldings Lord of the Flies Essay807 Words   |  4 PagesThe novel â€Å"Lord of the Flies† was written by William Golding to demonstrate the problems of society and the sinful nature of man. Golding uses symbols, characters and objects to represent his main ideas and themes. The conch was used to call meetings but is also symbolic of the government structure and power. One of the main themes in the novel â€Å"Civilization vs. Savagery† is fought between two egos, Jack the Id who represents savagery and the desire for power and Ralph the Ego and protagonistRead MoreLord of the Flies Allegory: Civilization vs. Savagery Essay883 Words   |  4 PagesLord of the Flies Allegory: Civilization vs. Savagery Every human has a primal instinct lying within them. It is not a question of how close to the actual surface it dwells, but rather how well an individual controls and copes with it. In a state of prolonged anguish and panic, what is one truly capable of? Can one remain sophisticated or will the temptation of their dark subconscious take over, bringing out the barbarianism which exists in us all? William Golding’s Lord of the Flies exploresRead MoreThe Defeat of Civilization in William Golding ´s Lord of the Flies688 Words   |  3 PagesIn Lord of the Flies, by William Golding, the Beast singlehandedly removes civilization from the island. At first, the Beast is only perceived as a minor fear, however, by the end of the book, it is perceived as an idol. The Beast is first introduced as a figment of the boys’ imagination, but further develops into a legitimate creature—by the boys—later on. By the end, the Beast becomes an actual G-d that the boys worsh ip by offering sacrifices to it, symbolizing the substitution of civilization withRead MoreCivilization Vs. Savagery In William Goldings Lord Of The Flies925 Words   |  4 PagesSince the dawn of time, humans have been evolving their behavior and way of life. In William Golding’s Lord of the Flies, he puts a group of boys on an island with a choice. Stay civilized while following rules and attempting to be rescued or tap into their primal instincts and lose all sense of humanity and morality. The theme of civilization versus savagery can be seen in the boys struggle to remain civil as demonstrated through Ralph and Jack’s conflict, Their growing fear for their safety, andRead MoreEssay on Civilization Versus Savagery in Goldings Lord of the Flies1754 Words   |  8 Pagestwisted by their own nature. Like the symbolic pigÂ’s head stuck in the calm forests clearing, all beauty and innocence can be mutated when order is overthrown by impulse actions. In William Gold ingÂ’s novel, Lord of the Flies, a central theme exists demonstrating the deterioration of civilization, and the overpowering of savagery, leading to the abandonment of moral thoughts and actions within a person. The beauty of the island is burned away slowly as the fiery demon of savagery attempts to overwhelm