Civilization's Connection to Morals and Savagery

The comedian Bill Cosby once said, "Civilization had too many rules for me, so I did my best to rewrite them." However humorous of a statement this is, it was not that unique of a concept. Diverging from society and creating new laws is not a concept created in recent-time. Several people have created new societies, such as the Puritans, who wished to achieve religious freedom in the United States. A modern-day example of the creation of new civilizations was the foundation of a Jewish state in Palestine. Although new civilizations have been made, is it possible to imagine what would happen if a group of people simply left civilization? Lord of the Flies, a novel by William Golding, discussed the possible consequences. Lord of the flies was the story of several young boys and how they deal with being stranded on an island with no adult guidance. The group attempted to form a democratic society, but they soon learn that the lack of societal boundaries deeply affected their values. The central theme of this novel was that society holds everyone together and without these conditions, all ideals, values and the basics of right and wrong are lost, as shown with the tribe, Jack, and Roger. The boys reversion to their savage roots was a prime example of how society holds people together and without these conditions, all ideals and values will be lost.

Although Jack and Roger are the main antagonists in this novel, the overall identity of the children was evil. They begin the novel as innocent young boys, but appear to be savage-like in the ending. In chapter 5, Ralph decides to call an assembly in

order to discuss if the beast exists or not. When asked about it, the littun Percival decides to speak up. He says, "Percival Wenys Madi...

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...ivilization would affect more than one or two children, but all of them. Jack showed how people with concentrated passion and hunger for power show their true identities when not restrained. Lastly, Golding used Roger to show that people with truly sadistic motives may seem normal when put into a structured society, however, when in a lawless environment their true colors show. Golding utilizes these characters to support the theme that without society and civilization, man reverts to his most primal state of being and looses all sense of morality and ethics.

Works Cited

Works Cited

"Bill Cosby Quotes." Find the Famous Quotes You Need, ThinkExist.com Quotations.Web. 12 Dec. 2010. .

Golding, William. Lord of the Flies. New York: Penguin Group, 2006. Print.