When the boys first came together on the island, a picture of order and hierarchy emerged, and Ralph’s tribe seemed to be working well. This period of time lasted for four or five days. However, dissent started to build against Ralph, primarily coming from Jack. Jack had been given the position as leader of the hunters, but did not perform any other duties, letting the fire burn out at one time. After much tension, Jack and his hunters broke off from Ralph’s tribe, at first calling on others to join him, and eventually gaining followers through coercion. Ralph was left with Piggy, his only true friend on the island. After this schism, Ralph spent the next few days evading Jack’s group of hunters, and eventually losing Piggy.
. In the beginning of the story, the island is viewed as a lush paradise abundant with vegetation. The island is described as being
“roughly boat-shaped: humped near this end with behind them the jumbled descent to the shore. On either side rocks, cliffs, treetops and a steep slope: forward there. the length of the boat, a tamer descent, tree-clad, with hints of pink: and then the jungly flat of the island, dense green, but drawn at the end to a pink tail. There, where the island petered out in the water, was another island; a rock, almost detached, standing like a fort, facing them across the green with one bold, pink bastion.” (Golding SOMEWHERE IN CHAPTER 1)
However, by the end of the story, the once “paradise” has become a fiery battleground. The setting is used in this story primarily as a microcosm of the real world and the development of the characters. By placing the boys on an island, Golding forces them to create their own society and rules. The island is set apart from the society the boys are used to. As a result, their true, sinister inner selves emerge. This sets the stage for dissent among the characters, and ultimately, the conflict of order versus savagery. Golding also uses the setting as a metaphor to express his personal beliefs on the savage side of human nature. The character of Jack is used as his voice. Golding also introduces a totally different type of environment than the children are used to. This plays a crucial role in how the characters are developed. Ralph takes the initiative to put the boys to use, and is seen as both a leader and an organizer. The evil side of Jack is portrayed as he leads the hunters and when he breaks from the group. The setting plays a crucial role in both the development of the plot and the characters.
The setting plays a major role in the development of the plot and the conflict of order versus savagery. The island is first seen as a tropical paradise, but as the boys discover there are no rules, it becomes a battleground, not only between the boys, but between human nature. The boys are forced to create their own society and values because of the absence of authority. The island and its lack of rules provide an in-depth look at the true side of human nature in the conflict between Ralph and Jack, and ultimately, order versus savagery.
