Lord of the Flies free essay sample

A pack of boys crash-land on a desolate island and are left to survive on their own without the influence of society. After the boys struggle with their animal nature the protagonist, Ralph, gazes at the ocean and contemplates their deteriorating civilization. Golding expresses the idea that the boys will not be rescued from the island because of their savage nature through the use of personification, syntax, and juxtaposition. Through the combined use of personification and animal imagery Golding expresses the progression of the boy’s savagery, which prevents them from being rescued. For example, at one point Ralph observes, â€Å"†¦[the waves] gather with a roar, irresistibly swelling over point and outcrop, climbing the little cliff†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (125). The ocean is portrayed as a wild animal climbing the cliff towards the boys as if hunting them, similarly to the rise of the boy’s subconscious beast. This action is described as â€Å"irresistible†, indicating the boys cannot defy instinctual behavior. He lacks the understanding that the idea of a savage being normal. We eat Pig. Piggy! I got the conch! † Said Piggy indignantly. â€Å"Ralph they ought to shut up, oughtn’t they? You shut up, you Lithums! †) The character Ralph also is used by Golding’s creative genius. He falls victim to the savageness that is a part of him. Although he is a leader he cracks by natural instinct in an event of mere horseplay. Over time his actions become prehistoric and cavemen-like as he adapts to the new reality that lies on the island. (Lord of the Flies, 04 may2008. Pg. 129†I hit him†, said Ralph indignantly. â€Å"I hit him with my spear, I wounded him. †) (Lord of the Flies, 04 may2008. Pg. 26 Ralph launched himself like a cat; stabbed, snarling, with the spear, and the savage doubled up. ) Golding’s character Jack is one who is a perfect example to my point. As the eldest of all the boys his lust for power makes him closer to losing his civilized ways. His rank as head choirboy means nothing to the rest of the boys when Ralph is chosen as leader of the group. As he realizes his second in command position to Ralph he starts to lose his conscious. Now as Ralph’s nemesis, he becomes the savage he was meant to be. With his new found power he is able to control more boys than Ralph would have had. (Lord of the Flies, 04 may2008. Pg. 19 â€Å"I ought to be chief, Said Jack with simple arrogance, because I’m chapter chorister and head boy. I can sing C sharp! †) The Lord of the Flies shows the characters savage behavior is developed due to day to day lifestyle and culture. The environment, in which they live in, is harsh and unforgiving which can lead them into daily acts that some may seem as barbaric and uncivilized. As we now see after the analysis of the characters of The Lord of the Flies we now understand that these characters acted just as the African Tribes would have. So how do I define a savage? But the real question how would you define a savage? Is it one who is mentally incapable to act normally? Or is it someone who is of a lower class? So to answer the question, a savage is one whose actions are violent and different from their normal life because of an uncivilized situation. Now after researching this confusing topic to most, I realized that savagery in humans can be normal. I believe that no one can be classified as a savage. Why? Because many people have cultures and ways of life which many of us think are strange. Some of us don’t realize that there are other individuals around the world whose actions and way of life are completely different from ours, none the less normal.