In William Golding's novel "Lord of the Flies," the overarching theme is the inherent evil in humanity. This theme is portrayed through a group of young boys who are stranded on an uninhabited island and must fend for themselves. As the boys struggle to survive and establish a society, they eventually descend into savagery and violence.
One quote that exemplifies this theme is when the character Ralph says, "We've got to have rules and obey them. After all, we're not savages. We're English, and the English are best at everything." This quote highlights the contrast between civilized society and savagery, and how easily the boys succumb to their primal instincts when there are no societal rules in place to keep them in check.
Another quote that demonstrates the theme of evil in humanity is when the character Jack says, "I'm not going to be a fool, sitting down there and getting frightened. I'm going to enjoy myself. We're strong – we hunt! If there's a beast, we'll hunt it down! We'll close in and beat and beat and beat –!" This quote shows how the boys' desire for power and control leads them to engage in violent and ruthless behavior.
A third quote that demonstrates the theme of the inherent evil in humanity is when the character Simon says, "I think perhaps you know what's inside yourselves. I think perhaps you're afraid." This quote suggests that the boys are aware of the darkness within them, but are afraid to confront it.
In conclusion, "Lord of the Flies" is a powerful exploration of the theme of the inherent evil in humanity. Through the experiences of a group of young boys stranded on an uninhabited island, Golding illustrates how easily civilized society can break down and give way to savagery and violence when there are no rules or constraints in place.
Lord of the Flies Quotes
He spilt the water and leapt to his feet, laughing excitedly. Jack lost his humanity to the point of attacking a man he respected in the beginning. It makes sense that Simon, as the novel's moral figure, is the boy who realizes the evil on the island was the boys' own making. . Piggy's 'Lord Of The Flies' Quotes Piggy is yet another major character from 'Lord Of The Flies' whose real name was not revealed throughout the book. You kid yourself he's all right really, an' then when you see him again; it's like asthma an' you can't breathe. Simon recognizes that the beast is not a physical beast, but perhaps the darkness and innate brutality within the boys themselves.
Lord of the Flies Quotes with Examples and Analysis
That was from Piggy, shocked out of decorum. Driven back by the tide, his footprints became bays in which they were trapped and gave him the illusion of mastery. Do you think that if one of them individually faced Simon alone, would that person decide to murder him? Here, Jack and Ralph fight. The great wave of the tide moved further along the island and the water lifted. This quote is meant to be a reminder of society's rules and laws.
9 Lord of the Flies Quotes About the Darker Side of Humanity
We'll also be covering quotes about Ralph in 'Lord Of The Flies' here. In a way, the tendency towards evil, which we see manifesting in many of the characters, can be likened to the biblical idea of being tempted by the devil to do evil. This kind of willful ignorance and delusion enables mobs to behave brutally or immorally. The last date is today's date — the date you are citing the material. With the world at war, a plane full of school children is shot down on a tropical island.
Themes & Key Quotes
The body lifted a fraction of an inch from the sand and a bubble of air escaped from the mouth with a wet plop. The island they landed on has everything they need, including an abundance of fruit trees. After all, we're not savages. But we are going to focus what the book has about this theme. The boys strive to maintain order at first, and a boy named Ralph is elected as chief. That night, the boys, whipped into a frenzy and performing a tribal dance, ritualistically kill Simon, who they mistake for the beast.
Lord of the Flies Quotes Cruelty/Savagery
In chapter 8, the hunters brutally slaughter a sow, place its head on a sharpened stick, and leave it as a sacrifice for the beast. Natalie Perdue Natalie has taught multiple topics for both children and adults for over two years. Now they are preparing to slaughter a nursing sow, destroying a symbol of innocence and motherhood in cold blood. Ralph weeps about how they were innocent children, and how they turned into savages on that island away from society. The paratrooper who lands on the island reminds the reader that while the boys are struggling to survive peacefully on the island, the world at large is still at war.
