Lord Of The Flies Chapter 11

Normal kids rely on their parents to be the boss, but in Lord of the Flies these boys must become their own authoritative figure. After reading a few paragraphs from chapter 11 of the book, William Golding shows us what happens when you lose everything, including your mind. Golding uses many literary devices to explain how easily these boys go crazy. Based on the aggressive tone, violent imagery, and savage actions in the passage, it shows that the boys have lost all sense of authority.
Because of the aggressive tone throughout the passage, it shows the boys have lost all authority. Right away Golding sets up the tone as hostile because of how Jack is behaving, “Now Jack was yelling too and Ralph could no longer make himself heard”. Jack

yelling shows that chaos is going on with the boys. They are stranded on an island, and should not have to yell to get each others attention. While acting as mad men, the yelling and screaming shows the boys have lost all sense of authority because they would not act like that if adults had been there. The boys also became tense while together which created an aggressive tone. As stated, “The intention of a charge was forming among them; they were working up to it and the neck would be swept clear”. While the boys were standing in the circle, the feeling of hostility and tension increased tremendously. This created an aggressive tone because the readers know something terrible is going to happen that would not happen if adults were there. As the tension increases, the boys start doing things they will soon regret. It is stated that, “... the conch exploded into a thousand white fragments and ceased to exist”. The conch is a symbol of authority and order, and the conch being destroyed symbolized the loss of order throughout the boys. As readers, it is felt as a feeling of defeat because the boys have lost everything, including Piggy. The aggressive tone sets up the violent imagery that is included in throughout the passage.
With the violent imagery, the readers can see that the boys have lost all sense of authority.

Golding uses harsh words and descriptions to show that the group of boys have lost their minds. In the passage it is said that, “Jack had backed against the tribe and they were a solid mass of menace that bristled with spears”. Golding literally states that the group of boys are armed and going to cause harm to Ralph and Piggy. As teenagers, it is not normal for kids to kill other kids. The group being ready to fight at a moments notice shows they need to defend their own by being their own authoritative figure. Violent imagery is also shown with Piggy, “By him stood Piggy still holding out the talisman, the fragile, shining beauty of the shell”. Time and time again he is not able to show authority even though he holds the power of “order”. The readers get a feeling of sorrow from this scene because Piggy is helpless and that is what makes this scene so violent. During this passage violent action is also shown when Golding says, “He was aware of a jolt in the earth that came to him through the soles of his feet, and the breaking sound of stones at the top of the cliff”. The sound of the rocks breaking foreshadow the breaking of the conch and the loss of order that is soon to come. Along with the violent picture of Piggy being crushed by the rock. Image after image it is soon shown that these boys have become

savages.
By acting like savages, it is shown that the boys have lost all sense of authority.

Every person has a conscious, it tells that person what is wrong and right. Animals do not have consciences and when the boys act like savages, they act like animals showing that they have no sense of authority. “The storm of sound beat at them, an incantation of hatred”. This explains that the boys are chanting like they do before a killing of pigs. This can symbolize the boys killing of Piggy as a killing of an animal which is an act of savagery. Roger in particular shows he has lost his mind, “High overhead, Roger, with a sense of delirious abandonment, leaned all his weight on the lever”. Roger did not second guess dropping the rock, he knew it would hurt someone and he did not care. It is also said that he had a delirious abandonment, meaning his head was not 100 percent sure about what he was doing. Almost like he was in a trance of killing, showing he is a savage. The effect of the rock killed Piggy, a little boy became a murder in minutes. “The rock struck Piggy a glancing blow from chin to knee; the conch exploded into a thousand white fragments and ceased to exist”. Golding creates a series of depressing actions of teenagers becoming killers. This sentence shows that all the boys on the island were savages. They have no control over their actions anymore because they have lost all sense of

authority.
In conclusion, it is easily proven that the boys have lost all sense of authority. The way Golding sets up the aggressive tone by the use of words it creates a whole new meaning for the reader. The imagery creates the tone which shows how crazy and depressing it is on the island. Being on an island with no adults it is easy for kids to become savages. These boys become savage within days of being on the island. Based on the aggressive tone, violent imagery, and savage actions in the passage, it shows that the boys have lost all sense of authority. Sadly, these boys become adults way too fast.