How Does Golding Present Civilisation In Lord Of The Flies
Golding suggests, through the characters and events of this novel that acting civilised is a custom that is adopted by society, however he also suggests that civilisation itself may not be as strong as some would like to think.
At first, we see Golding present civilisation as something that binds all the boys to a sense of right and wrong. In chapter one the first thing Ralph and Piggy suggest is "we should have a meeting". That this comes to Ralph so instinctively suggests that they are used to a world of order and communication. This is further proven by Ralph announcing to the other boys that they must have "hands up, like at school". Piggy is insistent on taking names and this sense of giving everyone an identity connects them further …show more content…
This is shown by the deterioration of Golding's use of language: the boys start to use slang and abbreviations more frequently. Also, at the beginning of the novel, Percival recites his full name and the majority of his address and in the final chapter he fails to even remember his name and this loss of identity suggests the breakdown of civilisation. In chapter five, we see civilisation deteriorate when the meeting breaks down. The conch, which has so far been a symbol of the boys' civilisation, takes longer and longer to make the other boys listen which suggests that civilisation is weak and savagery is a stronger force. This is further proven by the descriptions of the conch throughout the novel: Golding goes from describing it as "powerful" to describing it as "pale" and "delicate" which again suggests civilisation is being lost. In chapter 5, Jack's attitude towards the conch and civilisation changes from defending the English as not being savage, to saying "bollocks to the rules" and the breakdown in his language suggests that savagery is beginning to become present in him.
Jack introduces the idea of wearing masks whilst hunting and Golding describes him as "hiding behind it". Whilst the mask itself does not represent civilisation, it could represent how the boys have been `hiding behind` civilisation and the masks are showing what is really inside them. The masks also seem to give the boys more confidence, as the first time Jack and his "hunters" succeed in killing a pig they are wearing masks and here Golding is presenting civilisation as something that is easily forgotten or painted over (in the sense of the
At first, we see Golding present civilisation as something that binds all the boys to a sense of right and wrong. In chapter one the first thing Ralph and Piggy suggest is "we should have a meeting". That this comes to Ralph so instinctively suggests that they are used to a world of order and communication. This is further proven by Ralph announcing to the other boys that they must have "hands up, like at school". Piggy is insistent on taking names and this sense of giving everyone an identity connects them further …show more content…
This is shown by the deterioration of Golding's use of language: the boys start to use slang and abbreviations more frequently. Also, at the beginning of the novel, Percival recites his full name and the majority of his address and in the final chapter he fails to even remember his name and this loss of identity suggests the breakdown of civilisation. In chapter five, we see civilisation deteriorate when the meeting breaks down. The conch, which has so far been a symbol of the boys' civilisation, takes longer and longer to make the other boys listen which suggests that civilisation is weak and savagery is a stronger force. This is further proven by the descriptions of the conch throughout the novel: Golding goes from describing it as "powerful" to describing it as "pale" and "delicate" which again suggests civilisation is being lost. In chapter 5, Jack's attitude towards the conch and civilisation changes from defending the English as not being savage, to saying "bollocks to the rules" and the breakdown in his language suggests that savagery is beginning to become present in him.
Jack introduces the idea of wearing masks whilst hunting and Golding describes him as "hiding behind it". Whilst the mask itself does not represent civilisation, it could represent how the boys have been `hiding behind` civilisation and the masks are showing what is really inside them. The masks also seem to give the boys more confidence, as the first time Jack and his "hunters" succeed in killing a pig they are wearing masks and here Golding is presenting civilisation as something that is easily forgotten or painted over (in the sense of the