Civilization Vs Savagery In Lord Of The Flies Essay

“Humankind seems to have an enormous capacity for savagery, for brutality, for lack of empathy, for lack of compassion” (Annie Lennox). In the novel Lord of the Flies, William Golding promotes the themes of civilization versus savagery, the loss of innocence that relates to our society. Golding associates the instinct of civilization with the good and the instinct of savagery with evil.
Loss of innocence is a worldly theme and a theme that constructs the ideas of Lord of the Flies. In the beginning of the novel, Ralph, who is stranded on an island with his friends, “[leaps] back on the terrace, [pulls] off his shirt, and [stands] there among the skull-like coconuts with green shadows from the palms and forest sliding over his skin. He [undoes]

the snake-clasp of his belt, [lugs] off his shorts and pants, and [stands] there naked, looking at the dazzling beach and the water.” Ralph, with fury and anger, loses his sanity in his erratic act of undressing himself.. Our society has changed over the course of the years due to the political destruction, economic downfall, and social issues. Our minds are trapped inside of a bubble, forgetting how each person has the power and will to do anything. Children’s pure minds can be destroyed into extravagant, destructive minds. For example, in Uganda there are many children, male and female, taken into slavery by the rebels. Kony’s child soldiers proclaim,” When you kill for the first time, you change.” They are forced into working for Joseph Kony’s army which has lead them to have seen and done terrible things. The young boys, are forced into the army. The young girls, are either sexually abused or taken advantage of and abandoned by their families. Children are mentally forced into this mindset of terror and enforcement. Child soldiers are induced into a routine of killing, and it starts becoming a habit to see your friends die on a daily basis. This ultimately leads to loss of innocence and inability to recognize from right and wrong. In the United States, some days we wake up to the tragic news that is painful to the ears. A few months ago, There was a shooting in Charleston, South Carolina. Sadly, it happens to be in a church, a man opened fire during a bible study. The suggested killer was a young man, assured that he would kill nine people then flee. Loss of innocence is a topic that starts to appear more often as our society becomes more technologically rooted. Children are either forced into disturbing acts or pleasured in doing wrong. In Lord of the Flies, Simon was murdered by his friends because of the frenzy that had been produced and that they set their minds to.
Civilization versus savagery is a systematic theme that involves and contributes to many worldwide events that occur.

In the seventh chapter, the boys were chanting, “ "Kill the pig! Cut his throat! Kill the pig! Bash him in!" The chanting rose into a hunt, to kill their friend, Simon. ISIS is one of the most depraved, barbaric, and inhuman terrorist groups known to mankind. In the Middle East, they have made their name known by committing several acts such as suicide bombings and decapitating heads of Christian believers on a beach. It is such a harsh form of savagery that it has caused a threat to not only the Middle East but, the whole world. It is bizarre that they believe they will take on the world, but thankfully the United States has joined with many countries in defeating ISIS. Civilization in our world has advanced in many ways because of the human knowledge. In Paris, there was recently a suicide bombing in many parts across town and left 130 people dead and even more wounded. Many people were distraught by the actions that occurred. The government and heads of Paris reacted in such a responsive manner. They retaliated by hunting down the attackers and arresting them. The attackers now await trial. Paris showed an effective form of civilization that is positive even in a destructive time. In Lord of the Flies, Piggy has no savage feelings while Roger can't seem to comprehend the idea of civilization. It is evident that people react to barbarism, cruelty and savagery because of the effects it causes. On the other hand, civilization is done out of peace and happiness to help support and bring the country together as one by establishing laws and

regulations.
Loss of Innocence and civilization versus savagery are widely known within the literature world and our world we live in. William Golding emphasizes many ideas and themes that promote these topics. Our society can be destroyed by the minds of the poorly influenced or our society can be whole as one body by those who support civilization and peace. It is up to this generation, to make a difference in how our children grow up to be and it is our decision to create peace or war.