Isolation In Lord Of The Flies

Coping with Isolation
Despite the obvious mental deterioration that comes with extended isolation, physical conditions including chronic inflammation, cardiovascular disease, and cancer have been attributed to extreme isolation. (Cohen) These conditions, however unpleasant in a modern setting, would prove undoubtedly fatal in the setting of an uninhabited island. Therefore, in Cast Away and Lord of the Flies, where characters find themselves stranded on a deserted island, necessary measures need to be taken in order to avoid these conditions. In both Lord of the Flies and Cast Away characters cope with isolation through companionship and camaraderie.

The characters in Lord of the Flies dispel the feeling of loneliness by forming groups, or

“tribes”. This is crucial to their survival efforts, as well as greatly increasing their mental capacity; because they are without the harmful effects of loneliness, they are able to focus their attention on other matters, like lighting a fire in order to be rescued (Golding, 40). From the moment they are stranded on the island, the boys immediately form one unified tribe. Despite two murders and the disastrous repercussions of one of the boy’s actions, they never stray from the feeling of unity and purpose which comes from the peer support provided by a tribe. This feeling of unity gives the boys the will to continue; not for themselves but for the tribe as a whole. The first clear example of unity and companionship occurs when the boys rush to build a fire in chapter 2; despite the desperation of the situation, the boys start the fire, not as individuals, but as a tribe. Ralph summarizes this when he and Jack are attempting to lift a heavy log. As Ralph says, “Almost too heavy”, Jack responds “Not for the two of us” (Golding, 39.) This is an early example of companionship and teamwork in order to achieve a mutual goal. After the original tribe is disbanded, the boys continue to work together. Loneliness can be a crippling force, but the boys in Lord of the Flies overcome it through companionship.

Not only do the boys in Lord of the Flies form large tribes, they also form close bonds with one other boy.

Although this phenomenon is not reserved exclusively for boys who knew one another before arriving on the island, an example of comradery is the unbreakable bond between Sam and Eric. The twins are so inseparable that they are generally referred to as “Samneric” (154.) This bond gives them a reprieve from the chaos of the tribe, and allows them to maintain a level of normality that downplays the feelings of isolation that would otherwise be overwhelming when stranded on a deserted island. An example of companionship between Sam and Eric is when they are alone on the mountain; charged with maintaining a fire (97.) Despite the unusual circumstances they find themselves in having someone to talk to provides them the motivation to continue, when it otherwise seems desperate and hopeless. Another case where friendship is apparent is that between Piggy and Ralph. Regardless of the cruelty Piggy endures at the hands of Ralph he continues to support and help Ralph. From the moment Piggy meets Ralph, Ralph demonstrates a level of indifference towards Piggy that would deter most people, yet because of his desperation for human compassion Piggy is willing to tolerate even the most sadistic of actions. A time at which this was abundantly clear was when Piggy confides in Ralph that “I don’t care what they call me, as long as they don’t call me… Piggy” (11.) Yet ironically, and

unfortunately, this is the only name by which he is referred to throughout the entirety of the novel. The irony comes through the medium by which this name was delivered to the majority of the boys. It was not Piggy, but Ralph who told an assembly of boys that “his real name’s Piggy!” (21.) This act violated the only request Piggy had made of him and showed a level of callous disregard for Piggy’s emotions that would cause embarrassment and devastation for most people. Given the circumstances most people would make an attempt to socially separate oneself from that individual, yet the fear of isolation causes Piggy to continue striving for a friendship with Ralph; despite obvious indicators that he was unwanted. Although Simon, a boy who enjoys spending hours alone in the woods, could be seen as a counterpoint to this belief, even he is not immune from the desire for companionship. As is proven when he connects to a couple of others; as the Lord of the Flies himself tells him “You like Ralph a lot, don’t you?” (143.) Even characters like Simon who are virtually immune to the effects of isolation still feel a connection to others. In conclusion, regardless of previous experience isolation prompts close bonds that flourish through camaraderie.

In Cast Away, Chuck Nolen, trapped in solitude, personifies a volleyball in order to avoid being completely alone. This action represents a fundamental desire for companionship that is so primal it is nearly impossible to live without. Chuck Nolen’s actions prove that humans are so desperate for companionship that they will create it where it doesn’t exist. Although Piggy’s dedication to Ralph (Golding) is a clear example of creating companionship as a means of dealing with isolation, perhaps the most perspicuous and famous of this is Chuck Nolen’s personification of a volleyball. His dedication towards Wilson (the volleyball) and devastation when Wilson is lost proves that the bond he formed, or created, was one similar to what would be expected between people. This only goes to prove that the fear of isolation drives people to act rashly and desperately searching blindly for any alternative to being alone.

Regardless of whether stranded with or without others, in the setting of a deserted island, the struggle against isolation is real and intense. In the case of both Chuck Nolen (Zemeckis) and the boys of Lord of the Flies (Golding) it was a driving force in many of their lives. After reading Lord of the Flies and viewing Cast Away, it becomes apparent that in isolated situations humans look to companionship as a savior from loneliness and isolation.