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THEMES AND KEY QUOTES
The Need for Civilisation
In the novel, the need for civilisation is an important aspect in the story because being stranded on an island without any authority figures and at such a young age, the boys needed something to bring them together as the thought of rescue was still far out of reach. The story started out with a fair election and everyone had rights but as the story progress on, they started to abuse those rights and the civilisation or the order that Ralph and Piggy foresaw started to dull. Being far away from civilisation, order is the only thing that would keep them away from savagery and insanity. However, as human nature demands, the order soon collapsed, replaced by an autocratic dictator. Under Jack’s rule, the boys started to lose their sense of morality and their civilised self were just a trailing whispers, a shadow of who they once were.
Example:
“Because rules are the only thing we’ve got!” (P. 91)
“There aren’t any grownups. We shall have to look after ourselves.” (P. 33)
In the novel, the need for civilisation is an important aspect in the story because being stranded on an island without any authority figures and at such a young age, the boys needed something to bring them together as the thought of rescue was still far out of reach. The story started out with a fair election and everyone had rights but as the story progress on, they started to abuse those rights and the civilisation or the order that Ralph and Piggy foresaw started to dull. Being far away from civilisation, order is the only thing that would keep them away from savagery and insanity. However, as human nature demands, the order soon collapsed, replaced by an autocratic dictator. Under Jack’s rule, the boys started to lose their sense of morality and their civilised self were just a trailing whispers, a shadow of who they once were.
Example:
“Because rules are the only thing we’ve got!” (P. 91)
“There aren’t any grownups. We shall have to look after ourselves.” (P. 33)
The Evil Which Lies Within Man
This theme is presented in the novel through symbolisms. It took in the shape of an unknown beast and the shape of a sow on a stick. In the book, the character who represents this theme is most likely Jack and the boys who followed him. Their urge to kill, and their victims that ranged from meat to the beast then to humans. Jack being power hungry also played an important part in this. The boys, being well fed, started out as little boys who just wanted to have fun. But at such a young age, they developed the desire to kill.
Example:
“I thought I might kill.” (P. 51)
“Roger sharpened a stick at both ends.” (P. 190)
This theme is presented in the novel through symbolisms. It took in the shape of an unknown beast and the shape of a sow on a stick. In the book, the character who represents this theme is most likely Jack and the boys who followed him. Their urge to kill, and their victims that ranged from meat to the beast then to humans. Jack being power hungry also played an important part in this. The boys, being well fed, started out as little boys who just wanted to have fun. But at such a young age, they developed the desire to kill.
Example:
“I thought I might kill.” (P. 51)
“Roger sharpened a stick at both ends.” (P. 190)
Mob Rule-Crowd Mentality
This theme is fairly present through out the book. The boys knew they were vulnerable, against the beast and against the island. The best way to ensure their safety is to stick together and help each other out. That is why large groups are often very intimidating. The desire of wanting to fit in with those groups are often very harmful. As soon as Jack and Ralph divided and have separate tribes, Jack’s tribesmen were immediately hostile towards Ralph’s group by throwing rocks and laughing at them. When a group of people left to join Jack, others followed.
Example:
“Piggy and Ralph, under the threat of the sky, found themselves eager to take a place in this demented but partly secure society.” (P. 152)
“Between the flashes of lightning the air was dark and terrible; and the boys followed him, clamorously.” (P. 151)
This theme is fairly present through out the book. The boys knew they were vulnerable, against the beast and against the island. The best way to ensure their safety is to stick together and help each other out. That is why large groups are often very intimidating. The desire of wanting to fit in with those groups are often very harmful. As soon as Jack and Ralph divided and have separate tribes, Jack’s tribesmen were immediately hostile towards Ralph’s group by throwing rocks and laughing at them. When a group of people left to join Jack, others followed.
Example:
“Piggy and Ralph, under the threat of the sky, found themselves eager to take a place in this demented but partly secure society.” (P. 152)
“Between the flashes of lightning the air was dark and terrible; and the boys followed him, clamorously.” (P. 151)
The Loss of Innocence
At a age young, children can be spoiled but they can act like children, cry whenever something displeases them, say the truth and expect rewards and punishments. However, the boys on the island are forced to grow up faster than normal children. They are forced to learn how to build their own huts, find their own food and water without guidance from adults. This, in a way is a loss of innocence. They no longer have the luxury to behave like small children. The killing of Simon made them learn how to lie and try to be dishonest with themselves. Jack was exposed to raw power and absolute submission whereas Ralph was forced to witness his friend being murdered and being chased through the trees. The brutality they witnessed, the things they sacrificed and the things like lost, are their loss of innocence.
Example:
“We’re all drifting and things are going rotten. At home there was always a grownup. Please, sir; please, miss; and then you got an answer. How I wish!” (P. 94)
“I’m frightened. Of us. I want to go home. Oh God, I want to go home.” (P. 157)
At a age young, children can be spoiled but they can act like children, cry whenever something displeases them, say the truth and expect rewards and punishments. However, the boys on the island are forced to grow up faster than normal children. They are forced to learn how to build their own huts, find their own food and water without guidance from adults. This, in a way is a loss of innocence. They no longer have the luxury to behave like small children. The killing of Simon made them learn how to lie and try to be dishonest with themselves. Jack was exposed to raw power and absolute submission whereas Ralph was forced to witness his friend being murdered and being chased through the trees. The brutality they witnessed, the things they sacrificed and the things like lost, are their loss of innocence.
Example:
“We’re all drifting and things are going rotten. At home there was always a grownup. Please, sir; please, miss; and then you got an answer. How I wish!” (P. 94)
“I’m frightened. Of us. I want to go home. Oh God, I want to go home.” (P. 157)
Power and the Abuse of Power
The theme of power is valiantly presented in broad daylight with two characters representing two different ways people use power. Ralph used his power, the respect and submission from the other boys and littleluns for their benefit by ordering them to build shelters, find food and water and make fire. Jack, however used his popularity to his own benefit by driving the boys away from their duties that serves to keep them alive and made them serve him with absolute submission just because he liked it so.
Example:
“See? They do what I want.” (Pg. 179)
“I tell you, I got the conch.” (P. 180)
The theme of power is valiantly presented in broad daylight with two characters representing two different ways people use power. Ralph used his power, the respect and submission from the other boys and littleluns for their benefit by ordering them to build shelters, find food and water and make fire. Jack, however used his popularity to his own benefit by driving the boys away from their duties that serves to keep them alive and made them serve him with absolute submission just because he liked it so.
Example:
“See? They do what I want.” (Pg. 179)
“I tell you, I got the conch.” (P. 180)
Blindness and Sight
They are just boys. It takes a lot to make them understand and see things that are beyond their current brain capacity. The beast that blinded them, that misguided them was imaginary. They couldn't see that. Jack was manipulating everyone but no one with eyes could see that and so they are blind.
Example:
“Fancy thinking the beast was something you could hunt and kill!” (P.143)
“I wasn’t scare,” said Ralph slowly, “I was—I don’t know what I was.”
They are just boys. It takes a lot to make them understand and see things that are beyond their current brain capacity. The beast that blinded them, that misguided them was imaginary. They couldn't see that. Jack was manipulating everyone but no one with eyes could see that and so they are blind.
Example:
“Fancy thinking the beast was something you could hunt and kill!” (P.143)
“I wasn’t scare,” said Ralph slowly, “I was—I don’t know what I was.”
Fear of the Unknown
The author develops this theme by setting lose an unknown imaginary fear that grips the boys, makes them paranoid. The idea of fear is fearful than the the thing itself.
Example:
“…—Why couldn’t you say there wasn’t a beast?” (P. 93)
“…—talk of a thing, a dark thing, a beast, some sort of animal. I’ve heard. You thought not, didn’t you? Now listen. You don’t get animals on small islands. Only pigs. You only get lions and tigers in big countries…”
The author develops this theme by setting lose an unknown imaginary fear that grips the boys, makes them paranoid. The idea of fear is fearful than the the thing itself.
Example:
“…—Why couldn’t you say there wasn’t a beast?” (P. 93)
“…—talk of a thing, a dark thing, a beast, some sort of animal. I’ve heard. You thought not, didn’t you? Now listen. You don’t get animals on small islands. Only pigs. You only get lions and tigers in big countries…”