The novel shows the downfall from the boys' high class society society into a tribal-like culture of conflict

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        Golding presents aspects of human nature as themes in the book. It alerts us to descend from order to chaos, good to evil, civilization to savagery. They are explored through how evil can be brought out in certain situations, the dangers in not addressing our own fears and the battle between civilization and anarchy.Most importantly, Golding achieved the above using metaphorical and didactic writing techniques that unquestionably shocked his readers - and still shocks them today. "Lord of the Flies" reveals how people can descend into barbarism in an atmosphere of chaos.The main issues in the novel are that of the divide between civilization and savagery, human evil, power and its consequences,.The theme of the breakdown of civilization toward savagery Brings out the struggle between the ruling parts of society.

         Golding's main Point of the conflict between civilization and savagery is through the characters in the novel. Ralph, the  principal character and Piggy are both symbols for motivation and leadership, whilst Jack and his right hand man Roger are symbols for the desire for power, selfishness and not caring for morality and immorality. Jack cannot at first bring himself to kill a pig because of "the disgusting site of the knife going into living flesh; because of the site of blood." This shows the boys' innocence at the beginning.

        Another example of this is where Roger feels the urge to torment a "Littlun" but is held back by the social values which he used to follow "Roger gathered a handful of stones and began to throw them. Yet there was a space round Henry, perhaps six yards in diameter, into which he dare not throw. Here, invisible yet strong, was the taboo of the old life. Round the squatting child was the protection of parents and school and policemen and the law." This happens earlier in the novel when the boys are still controlled by their morals from their "good" society.

        The novel shows the downfall from the boys' high class society society into a tribal-like culture of conflict which soon becomes a living hell. This quick fall from law and order stuns the reader into self-realization of the human condition. From the first mention of the Beast, to when Ralph is running for his life from Jack's tribe, fear is a major factor of "Lord of the Flies." Just as fear in world history has been the cause of violence and destruction; it is the force which drives the boys on the island towards their chaos. The boys use the "Beast" figure as their aim of projecting their fear of each other and of the circumstances that they're in.

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        This breakdown in the group's need and desire for morality, order and civilization is increasingly unable to do by the presence of the Beast.The time to which each boy is to see the beast mirrors the time to which he is afraid, and can be linked to a "fight or flight" mechanism. Simon is really the only one on the island who realizes that the fear is innate and that there is no beast. "What I mean is... maybe it's only us." Simon seems to exist outside Jack and Ralph's conflict and he contrasts with them as his qualities seem ...

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