Ruthless Lord Of The Flies Quotes Analysis

When the boys first arrived on the island, their behaviour was civilized and they attempted to convince themselves that they would soon be rescued by their parents. As the days passed, the boys began to open their eyes and realized that sitting around was not going to benefit them in any way, and most importantly it would not help them survive. Because of their new unrestricted life on the island, the boys become ruthless and replaced their previous identity.

While ruthlessness became a clear factoring in determining the boys new character, it became even more evident that the boys identities were changing. “Soon their play turns rough and they are actually hurting Robert, hitting him too hard with their spears. Jack grabs him by the hair

and brandishes his knife.

‘Kill the pig! Cut his throat! Kill the pig! Bash him in!’” (Golding, ). This quote demonstrates how Ralph’s ruthlessness takes control and how he begins to turn senseless. The transformation the boys undergo is substantial to the theme of loss of identity because it reveals how the island is truly affecting the boys mindsets. Ralph, who was chosen as leader because he showed confidence and fortitude soon became paranoid about hunting the beast. This caused Ralph to lose himself, and it allowed the ruthlessness to consume

his being.

“Jack wrenched free and swung at Ralph with his spear. By common consent they were using the spears as sabers now, no longer daring the lethal points” (Golding, 177). At this point, it becomes man vs. man rather than man vs. self previously when the boys were telling themselves everything would be alright. {__commentary place holder__}When the boys killed the first pig, they felt exhilarated and the ruthlessness was introduced into the boys identities. “His mind was crowded with memories; memories of the knowledge that had come to them when they closed in on the struggling pig, knowledge that they had outwitted a living thing...taken away its life like a long satisfying drink” (Golding, 70). After killing the first

pig Jack feels dominant, and powerful because he executed something, and in charge of it’s death. Something that would have been looked down upon in their past lives, became a thrilling activity for the boys. All of the boys actions during their time on the island, causes them to look back and reflect when they get rescued. Golding displays through symbolism of the boys development of identity that every person is ruthless, but certain actions are what reveal it.