Savagery, Power, and Fear
The most significant theme in the novel “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding is the degeneration from civility to savagery. Sub themes to this novel would be power and the fear of the unknown. In this novel William Golding depicts the importance of having rules and regulations even in secluded islands. Without any order total destruction will occur. The boys’ lack of laws caused abuse of power and fear. Control of inner self, power, and fear are essential for a civilized society.
All the boys on the island have degenerated from civility to savagery. “The rock struck Piggy a glancing blow from chin to knee; the conch exploded into a thousand white fragments and ceased to exist” pg 200. The boys lost their civilization when they lost order, the conch, on the island. The boys had grown long hair and had painted their face. They were not boys anymore, they became savages. Even Piggy, who had been the most civilized of all the boys, turns evil. “What can he do more than he has? I’ll tell him what’s what. You let me carry the conch, Ralph. I’ll show him the one thing he hasn’t got” pg 189. He was innocent and always wanted everyone to be together. He never wanted anyone to get hurt. On an island with no rules even the most civilized will turn savagery.