The Theme of Man versus Man in Lord of the Flies.
The Theme of Man versus Man in Lord of the Flies
In Lord of the Flies, by William Golding, one of the main themes is man versus man. In the novel, there are two competing instincts found in every individual: one that values peace among all, and stresses the good of the group. The other side values supremacy over others, and the good of one's self over others. In the novel, these values are symbolized in the two main characters: Ralph, who represents order, and Jack, who stands for savagery. This is apparent in the novel, with the boys originally all forming one tribe, but eventually splitting up, and joining Jack Merridew's group of hunters. The only ones remaining from the original tribe are Ralph, the original leader, and Piggy, his follower. This conflict between the civilized impulses of man versus the savagery of man exists throughout the novel. In the end, the winner of this conflict is Ralph, for he is the only one who does not give in to the nature of inhumanity.
The novel centers on the two sides of man represented in character by Ralph and Jack. Ralph, the protagonist, is the symbol of order and leadership, while Jack, the antagonist, is the symbol of savagery and barbarism. In the beginning of the story, all the boys acted as one in a group lead by the elected chief Ralph. Jack, who had competed for the leadership spot against Ralph, agrees to the outcome and is given control of the group of hunters. Ralph's tenure as leader lasts for a few days, during which the good of the group is slowly forgotten, and instead, the good of the individual is stressed. Ralph realizes this breakdown of command, saying,
"We have lots of assemblies. Everybody enjoys speaking and being together. We decide things. But they don't get done. We were going to have water brought from the stream and left in those coconut shells under fresh leaves. So it was for a few days. Now there's no water. The shells are dry. People drink from the river."(Golding 79).
As the days pass, and the structure of the group breaks down, Jack's desire for his own group of hunters increases, and finally comes, in a great breakup. (QUOTE) What started as a shift in priorities becomes ...
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"We have lots of assemblies. Everybody enjoys speaking and being together. We decide things. But they don't get done. We were going to have water brought from the stream and left in those coconut shells under fresh leaves. So it was for a few days. Now there's no water. The shells are dry. People drink from the river."(Golding 79).
As the days pass, and the structure of the group breaks down, Jack's desire for his own group of hunters increases, and finally comes, in a great breakup. (QUOTE) What started as a shift in priorities becomes a contrast between Ralph and Jack, and ultimately, civilization and savagery.
As the story progresses, the remaining members of Ralph's tribe join up with Jack, until all that remains of the original tribe is its chief, Ralph, and his disciple Piggy. Jack seems to be more prepared for survival than Ralph, having stolen Piggy's glasses, which were the sole instrument of making fire. "The chief led then, trotting steadily, exulting in his achievement. He was a chief now, in truth; and he made stabbing motions with his spear. From his left hand dangled Piggy's broken glasses." (168) Jack convinces his tribe that Ralph is their enemy, and they seek to kill him, but accidentally kill Piggy instead. During this struggle, Jack throws his spear at Ralph, injuring him. This is one of the climaxes between Jack and Ralph, and ultimately, civilization and savagery. After this incident, Ralph becomes the hunted, and is pursued relentlessly by Jack and his hunters. At one point, Ralph even questions the point of continuing in a civilized nature. "Then, at the moment of greatest passion and conviction, that curtain flapped in his head and he forgot what he had been driving at."(Golding 163). Ralph is forced to hide out on the island, and realizes that Jack will never stop his search for him. He also wonders what he will do for food and fire in the future. Ralph's struggles after Piggy's death represent the greatest climax in the book: survival in a world of savagery.
As Ralph is staking out Jack's camp, he encounters Sam and Eric guarding the lookout, who tell him that Roger has sharpened a stick at both ends. This could possibly be referring to the self-destructive capacity of the boys, and the danger they create for themselves. After his meeting with Sam and Eric, Ralph decides to hide out again, then figures out that Jack is setting the island on fire to try to snuff Ralph out. In doing so, Jack would kill the remaining resources such as fruit on the island. Ralph rushes to the beach, and encounters the naval officer. The other boys start to appear from the woods, and begin to act as they did in the beginning, and Ralph weeps, "for the end of innocence, the darkness of man's heart" (QUOTE SOMEWHERE ON LAST PAGE) However, it is still apparent that the boys are not used to civilized nature, as evident in Percival's inability to state his name and address as he could do in the beginning.
In Lord of the Flies, Jack and Ralph are used to symbolize the conflict between civilization and savagery. Ralph values peace among all the boys, and stresses that all must work as one to survive. Jack values supremacy and the good of one over the others. These conflicting personalities cause a split in Ralph's tribe, and in the end, Ralph is the only one who has not joined Jack's tribe. Despite Ralph being the hunted, he ends up the winner in the conflict, for he is the only boy who does not give in to the nature of humanity.
the two sides of intrinsic nature of man are rivals in disguise of boys stranded on a desert island.boys stranded on a desert island form into a collective tribe to promote social order and welfare for all. When the savage instincts of the island become apparent to the boys, a schism occurs in the tribe, and eventually all of the boys join Jack Merringew's tribe, known as the hunters. In the end, Ralph is the victor of the conflict, for he is the only one besides Piggy who does not give in to the natures of inhumanity.
ŒWhich is better- to have rules and agree, or to hunt and kill?' " (Golding 180; ch. 11)
The tears began to flow and sobs shook him. He [Ralph] gave himself up to them for the first time on the island; great shuddering spasms of grief that seemed to wrench his whole body. His voice rose under the black smoke before the burning wreckage of the island; and infected by that emotion, the other little boys began to shake and sob too. And in the middle of them, with filthy body, matted hair, and unwiped nose, Ralph wept for the end of innocence . . . (Golding 202; ch. 12).
Para: title of book
Author
who has conflict
What conflict about
2 Para: what is nature of conflict. What is the problem? Between whom?
3 Para: state dramatic climax. When boys are casing Ralph through the woods to kill him. (what i think it is) (what do you think?)
4 Para: state outcome of conflict: what happens? HOw is conflict resolved?(Naval officer comes to save them) Is it resolved? (Yes)
5 Para: conclusion restates thesis and does not contain any new information
Quotes:
Last page-"for the end of innocence, the darkness of man's heart."
" ŒWe have lots of assemblies. Everybody enjoys speaking and being together. We decide things. But they don't get done. We were going to have water brought from the stream and left in those coconut shells under fresh leaves. So it was for a few days. Now there's no water. The shells are dry. People drink from the river.' " Golding 79
