One of the most evident themes in the novel would be loss of innocence. It is constant throughout the book that the innocence of the boys is quickly being destroyed. The books obvious context of civilization versus savaging is essential to show where the innocence is lost. But because civilization is lacking, the boys become cruel and barbaric and even kill each other. The loss of innocence is evident in most characters of The Lord of The Flies.
Golding's novel "The Lord of the Flies" reflects upon human society and shows how, if put the ideal situation, the evil held inside man can emerge from the depths in which it is contained and come to light in the most alarming and upsetting ways. The two major sets of systems in the novel are the ones in place during Ralph democratic rule, and the ones in place during Jacks dictatorial rule. In both cases the systems within either end in failure, or are distorted into a blatant form of evil. "Golding inveighs against those who think it is the political or other systems that create evil. Evil springs from the depth of man himself - it is the wickedness in human beings that creates evil systems or that changes what from the beginning is, or
Brandon Dunning Mr. Robel English 2 November 5, 2010 Lord of the Flies Lord of the Flies, a novel by William Golding, reveals the inner evil in human society. It shows that human kind is hopeless when it comes to evil and that it can take over anybody. William Golding did a good job showing how evil can gradually take someone over. For these kids stuck on the island it was only a matter of time before they turned evil and became hopeless. When the boys were deciding who should be chief and who should be hunters, the group decided Ralph should be the chief and the choir boys should be the hunters.
However, as time passes, Roger becomes more savage to the point of killing Piggy by pushing a rock off of a ledge. Golding states, “The rock struck Piggy a glancing blow from chin to knee; the conch exploded into a thousand white fragments and ceased to exist.” (Golding 164). The quiet Roger at the beginning has turned from civil, to messing with the littleuns, to murder. Roger’s change of mind lectures Golding’s belief that people can be pushed to such a point that their natural brutality is unveiled. Ralph, the most civilized character in the novel, finds brutality permeating through his brain.
Another theme in this story is the theme of men versus monsters. This theme comes to light when Grendel is described. Even in Chapter 1, it is made known that Grendel is going to be a monster. He is called the “enemy of mankind” (29) and rightly so. That automatically makes the reader see him as a completely evil character.
Being either humane or monstrous shapes a person or things identity and often the degree of monstrosity can become disruptive. Throughout Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein the theme monstrosity vs. humanity is constant. The creature is referred to as a monster but the novel begins to reveal the identity of Victor Frankenstein, making him the true monster. The whole of humanity becomes monstrous in the eyes of its readers; a humanity that can’t see past its prejudices is evident throughout the book. “Am I to be thought the only criminal when all human kind has sinned against me?” As a creator, Victor Frankenstein abandons his creature, and neglects him in ways a creator shouldn’t.
Grendel had no hall, no lord, and he disobeyed the laws of warfare by attacking at night. For this, Grendel’s point of view is a little skewed for he has such a burning hatred for men that he murders and eats them. When hearing of Beowulf, he is the shining example of everything that Grendel hates. Over the course of the novel, the reader realizes how much Grendel acts like a human and how his train of thought is more rational than portrayed in Beowulf. This personification is shown throughout because of his complex thought patterns.
Loss of Innocence: Lord of the Flies Sustaining a civilized society within humans who are eager for survival, will eventually expose their loss of innocence. Some characters begin to demonstrate savagery and their lack of maintaining civilized order. It is perceived that when humans are determined to persevere, their innate human nature will always over power. As indicated in William Golding’s Lord of the Flies, it is indisputable that when humans encounter unpleasant circumstances, they begin to lose the innocence they anticipated on always maintaining. Savagery inside each boy is firmly made evident, demonstrating the humanity within them.
Through the characters’ actions, order was lowered deep in to the dark crevasse of chaos. Jack became rebellious and defiant against the leader Ralph. Jack created disorder and wanted Ralph revoked of his status. “Bullocks to the rules” (Golding 91). By Jack’s action of saying this, he made room for more anarchy that paved the road to disorder.
When someone is obsessed with something, the person quickly becomes entirely engulfed in the subject, much like Ahab, the subject becomes the vice in which the obsessed depends on. This is clearly seen in this exert when the narrator explains that everything that angers Ahab, all the things that stir his emotions, all the malicious lying, every inch of his brain is devoted to the thought of Moby Dick, everything that is wrong in the world is made visible and realized in Moby Dick. To Ahab, Moby-Dick is the perfect embodiment of all evil and this fuels his obsession to destroy the whale. Ahab’s feelings towards Moby dick hold the same dark, sinister attitude that is expressed through the tone of the