The form of civilization can be found in the character Ralph; the form savagery can be found in the character Jack. Golding displays civilization as a subject of good and savagery as a subject of evil. Their ways of hunting become extremely barbaric as the novel progresses. Their first hunt indicated that Jack and his hunters were hesitant to slaughter the pig “they knew very well why he hadn’t: because of the enormity of the knife descending and cutting into living flesh; because of the unbearable blood.” In contrast with the end of the novel the hunters behave in an intrusive an aggressive manner when hunting “Kill the beast! Cut his throat! Spill his blood!” This is a major form of how the order on the island deteriorates, from being well mannered boys who dreaded to be rescued, to barbarous bloodthirsty hunters who no longer have the motive of returning to civilization.
The signal fire was used in the early stages of the novel to attract ships that passed by the island. Different jobs were disturbed among the boys to keep the fire going “We’ve got to have special people looking after the fire.” Although the boys made an agreement on keeping the fire alive, no one follows the instruction and the fire burns low. At this point of the novel we start to come to a conclusion that the boys have accepted their savage lives on this island “Jack had to think for a moment before he could remember what rescue was.” The signal fire was a small measurement of civilization on the island. Nevertheless, the boys do get rescued in the end of the novel due to a fire. However, it was not the signal fire; it was the fire of savagery (the fire created by the boys to hunt and kill Ralph).
At the start of the novel a conch shell was used as a symbolic item of authority. Anyone in possession of it was allowed to share their say. “I’ll give the conch to the next person to speak. He can hold it when he’s speaking.” The conch had an authoritative power on the island; it was also used to put together an assembly or meeting. Though, as the disagreements between the boys extend, the conch loses its democratic strength. Jack states that the conch is a useless item, and has no resemblance of authority. This shows savagery completely displacing civilization.
In conclusion, Golding includes two different instincts in this novel, one where all the boys are disciplined and follow rules, the other when the boys act violently and disagree on one’s determination. We are able to see the contrast of how civilization and savagery rise and fall to different degrees as the novel progresses. Although civilization and savagery are opposite terms, Golding portrays it to be almost parallel. Alternatively, we are able to see the comparison between both civilization and savagery. Golding’s structural writing makes the points showing deterioration obvious. Through this technique Golding ensures that his audience is able to see the contrast formed.
