Lord of the Flies Theme

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Dove 1 What would happen to you if you were stranded on an island with no conveniences, no supervision, with a beast that haunts you? In William Golding’s Lord of the Flies, a group of young boys from a British boarding school plane crash on an island with no adult supervision and are forced to fend for themselves. Lord of the Flies illustrates that people without the influence of society return back to their primitive nature through characters, symbols, and conflict. First, Golding proves the theme that innocence will be lost when true human nature shows itself through characters. In the beginning of the novel, Ralph is logical and all about being rescued. “Listen, everybody. I’ve got to have time to think things out. I can’t decide what to do straight off.” (Golding 23) As the story goes on, Ralph becomes more understanding of others and takes his responsibilities as chief more seriously, but struggles with his own inner enemy. He gives in to this enemy at times, playing “a game” with Jack and the hunters, and participates in Simon’s death dance. Ralph undergoes major changes in the novel and is left crying at his new discovery of how evil people can be at the end. Just like Ralph, Jack is all about the rules. He is a natural leader, but unlike Ralph, wants all the power for himself. Jack is clearly Dove 2 hurt when Ralph is given authority over him. “Even the choir applauded; and the freckles on Jack’s face disappeared under a blush of mortification.” (Golding 23) As the novel progresses, Jack becomes obsessed with hunting, going off by himself for long periods at a time while the rest of the boys are at the camp. When Ralph becomes obsessed with rescue, Jack becomes obsessed with meat and killing. In the end, Jack fully gives in to his animal instincts and leads the boys to the savage side. The boys in Lord of the Flies change from civilized,
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