ipl-logo

Savagery In Lord Of The Flies Essay

1030 Words5 Pages

The novel Lord of the Flies, written by William Golding features a recurring theme of savagery against civilization. But what exposes this theme are mainly the principle characters such as Ralph, Jack, and Piggy, which have an influence on the rest of the group in the story. And what is perceptible as the plot thickens, is that many peculiar aspects give us signs that savagery is manifesting into each one of the boys’ lives. These aspects are the increase in Ralph’s frustration and anguish with the group, Jack’s representation of savagery and the symbols which gain power to convey its manifestation. Firstly, in chapters four and five, Ralph experiences an increased frustration when the boys, who he is trying to lead in a civilized manner, …show more content…

He appears to be the main character to disrupt Ralph’s order and the one who displays the most signs of savagery. In chapter 4 we see that the title is called “Painted Faces and Long Hair” (60). This refers to how Jack and his hunters are embracing the more primitive and violent side of their nature, since they are continuously becoming savages. The long hair also refers to Ralph’s distaste for his bad hygiene and dirty clothes. It also shows how he is against savagery and has an urge to keep what little there is of savagery. Additionally, within the same chapter, when Jack has his face painted, he begins “to dance and his laughter [becomes] a bloodthirsty snarling” (66). The mask created by painting the face serves the main purpose of allowing Jack and the other boys to let the inner beast out. It also serves as something for the boys to hide behind. It is the same as someone who uses a plastic mask to hide their ‘true self’. When Jack paints his face, he feels free to let out his inner beast. The mask also removes a degree of humanity from Jack and rest of the boys. Humanity, or civility, is what keeps the beast inside of most people, according to

Show More
Related

  • How Does Golding Present Ralph From Lord Of The Flies

    505 Words  | 3 Pages

    The mannered and civilized boy, Ralph, shows excellent survival skills. He uses logic and strategic planning to gain durability in an unfamiliar environment. For example, when the group of boys crashed into the deserted island, he commenced the first meeting and started a bonfire. Another example would be how the boys would come up with assumptions and superstitions of an actual beast that exists in the island, he investigates to find out that it was actually a dead paratrooper, and uses that as evidence to tell everyone to keep calm, (although they didn't believe in him). These events all imply on how Ralph is a natural leader in any given situation.

    Read More

  • Jack Lord Of The Flies Mask Analysis

    246 Words  | 1 Pages

    When Jack puts on the mask, it gives him the boldness and eagerness to act as a new person. This allows him to make unethical choices further along in the book, becoming a threat to his peers. Shortly after the ship had past the island, the hunters return to find Ralph overwhelmed with anger. Jack and Ralph convey, “‘you let the fire go out… I

    Read More

  • Why People Wear Mask Analysis

    1000 Words  | 4 Pages

    This scared the littluns as well, so they “fled screaming” (Golding 140). Both the diction of this passage and the reaction of the littluns demonstrate the sometimes frightening nature of masks. Overall, along with other movies or books, the use of paint in Jack’s tribe and the reaction it evoked brings forth the idea of masks being used in an intimidating

    Read More

  • Sigmund Freud's Ego Theory In Lord Of The Flies

    170 Words  | 1 Pages

    Jack wants to wear face paint, as they did in the war, which connects to his destructive behavior. He begins to “dance and his laughter became a bloodthirsty snarling” (Golding 64). The newly-made mask Jack wears begins to compel the other children

    Read More

  • Civilization Vs Savagery In Lord Of The Flies Essay

    870 Words  | 4 Pages

    Ralph was the leader of the civilized group, and Jack was the leader of the savage and bloodthirsty hunting group. Important arguments between the civilized boys and savage boys come up in three important moments throughout the book: when the signal fire is allowed to go out and a boat passes by the island, when Jack leaves the civilized group to create his group of savages, and when the savages steal Piggy’s glasses to make their own fire. The first key moment near the beginning of the book shows the growing tension between civilization and savagery. It comes up when

    Read More

  • Lord Of The Flies Dialectical Journal

    1998 Words  | 8 Pages

    Ralph is one of the oldest boys on the islands, he was elected as leader at the beginning of the book. Ralph treats all the boys with respect throughout the book even when he begins to lose sanity himself. Ralph organizes all the boys in hope to keep them alive until they get saved, he makes them build shelters, keep the fire burning, and keep them all fed. Constantly throughout the book Ralph tries to keep the boys civilized whereas Jack does the opposite.

    Read More

  • Change In Lord Of The Flies Quote Analysis

    683 Words  | 3 Pages

    This continues to show up later in the book and is a big part of Jack’s tribe. Painting his face forms a mask that hides himself from his

    Read More

  • Lord Of The Flies Savagery Quotes

    666 Words  | 3 Pages

    “Beside the pool his sinewy body held up a mask that drew their eyes and appalled them. He began to dance and his laughter became a bloodthirsty snarling“ (pdf pg. 89). When Jack creates the mask he is able to kill the pig. The mask uncovers Jack’s inner savagery and takes away Jack’s social means of any little courtesy he has. "What's the dirtiest thing there is?"

    Read More

  • The Painted Idol: Jack's Rise To Power

    1895 Words  | 8 Pages

    In their fear of Jack and their captivation with the visage, the boys view him as a “painted and garlanded...idol” (Golding 149). They boys view the violent hunter as a godlike figure, but he is not a god, for an idol is only an entity who has power over their worshipers through fear and awe, no power in their own right. The new chief rules by illusion of power, which the mask gives through the bloodbaths that are associated with it. This is how every military power rules,which the red-haired boy represents, and why they do not last.

    Read More

  • Who Is Ralph A Foil To Civilize In Lord Of The Flies

    1230 Words  | 5 Pages

    In the novel, Jack Merridew represents savagery, chaos, and disorder. He represents this by repetitively expressing the need to hunt and kill a pig. As Ralph and Jack begin to accommodate themselves as well as the other boys to their situation, Ralph begins

    Read More

  • How Does Golding Show Fear In Lord Of The Flies

    466 Words  | 2 Pages

    I was just waiting for the right moment to stab him” ( Golding 29). Jack's actions state that he is a complete coward and is afraid of the killing of the pig. Also, Jack's attempt to convince the boys with his excuses did not work effectively because the boys knew why he hadn't killed the pig and Jack's attempt to appear brave became a huge disaster because he let his fear appear on his face proving he is truly a coward. Thirdly, jack uses face paint to hide fear from the rest of the boys, William Golding explains, “ .. the mask was a thing on its own, behind which jack hid liberated from shame and self-consciousness” ( Golding 66). Jack's actions defines that he is trying to cover up his fear because he is ashamed and afraid of being laughed at for not being able to kill the pig in his first attempt and by using face paint he uses mankind’s essential illness to make the boys fear him and make them do what he wants them to do, William Golding explains, “..come

    Read More

  • Why People Wear Masks In Lord Of The Flies

    998 Words  | 4 Pages

    In “Lord Of The Flies” by William Golding, there are boys who are stranded on an island. These boys that are separated from society are shown to wear “masks”. I have created a mask that is like the character, Ralph, in “Lord Of The Flies”. It shows both my usual personality but also shows my real one. Most people wear masks and don't even know it.

    Read More

  • Sigmunds Lord Of The Flies Quote Analysis

    700 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the book, Jack represents the primal aspect of humanity and is shown to be both bloodthirsty and power-hungry. When Jack and Ralph begin to duel with wooden spears on top of the mountain, Jack attempt to kill Ralph by, “with full intention, he hurled his spear at Ralph. The point tore the skin (Golding 163)” The ferocity and desire for power of Jack makes him kill the person that he once worked with. The charisma and power of jack begin to transmit the “it” amon the kids.

    Read More

  • Toxic Masculinity In The Lord Of The Flies

    794 Words  | 4 Pages

    In the book the Lord of the Flies the masks that Jack’s group uses helps them overcome their fear of killing the pig by hiding their true feelings. When Jack volunteers himself as the leader of hunting he doesn’t realize that he would have to overcome new challenges. Masculinity “masks” and the clay masks they wear in the Lord of the Flies are basically just “things trying to look like something else” (Golding 63). Jack explains to his group of hunters that the masks they were going to wear are so they can look like something they are not or to hide what is keeping them from killing a pig. This shows that they are trying to push away their true selves and by looking like something else they can make a character of who they choose to be based on the reason they put the “mask” on.

    Read More

  • Summary Of Savagery In Lord Of The Flies

    1177 Words  | 5 Pages

    When two people become friends after awhile they start to become more and more like each other. Eventually they will basically be the same person. But if one of the friends leaves the other is stuck with the characteristics of the lost friend. This changes the person in many different way just like the island changed the boys only it didn 't leave them. A group of British boys are stranded on an island.

    Read More

More about Savagery In Lord Of The Flies Essay

Open Document