Clothing In Lord Of The Flies

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“Well we won't be painted because we aren't savages (172)”. As Ralph said this he was telling the others that savages wear paints and the civilized wear clothes. Even though prior to Ralph deciding on wearing clothes as an act of civilization, he once removed them and experienced the feeling of savagery. In William Golding’s Lord Of the Flies, he shows that clothing is a breaking point between uncivilized and civilized life. Throughout the book he demonstrates the beginning, the deterioration, and the loss of clothing and civilized life. The first sign of the clothing in the book is when Ralph and Piggy go swimming in the pool. “Piggy took off his shoes and socks, ranged them carefully on the ledge (13)”. Throughout the book Piggy is always the person of reasoning and the way he treats his clothes is an example of how he treats himself and others. “Get my clothes. Along there. He trotted through the sand, enduring the sun's enmity, crossed the platform and found his scattered clothes. To put on a grey shirt once more …show more content…

Ralph’s clothed group never loses hope on being rescued and does not give up on work. Jack’s group is naked, painted, and unruly. When Ralph goes to the savages to have a reasonable talk he wants to show the difference between the groups, he wanted to look civilized. “Then we go as we are and they won’t be any better (172)”. Upon the arrival of the naval officer, the two factions reunite into one and make their journey to civilized life. The naval officer was able to get them to remember their old civilized lives, and lose all savagery. In Lord of the Flies by William Golding he uses the symbolism of clothing to explain civilization and savagery. Many times the book demonstrates civilized life and uncivilized life. “Which is better, law and rescue, or hunting and breaking things up (180)”. Civilized life is very gentle and can be easily broken by just

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