Themes in Lord of the Flies The Need

Themes in ‘Lord of the Flies’ The Need for Civilisation • The story teaches us of the need for civilisation – laws and rules, police and schools are necessary to keep the darker side of nature in nature. When these things slip away, humans slip back into the savage part of their nature. • The boys at the beginning of the story are the product of a civilised society, but by the end all their refinements and morals have been stripped away. • The assembly is the boys attempt to form some sort of government; it starts well but the power struggle between Jack and Ralph leads to its break up. The conch is supposed to symbolise authority and democracy, but this fails and is replaced by Jack’s dictatorship. • Golding believes democracy is fragile when faced by aggression – it must be treasured.

Power • Different types of power (uses and abuses) are central to the story. • Democratic power is shown when decisions are made by many. • Authoritarian power allows one person to threaten and terrify others. • Brute force, the most primitive show of power is used indiscriminately.

Loss of Innocence • Golding believes that the existence of civilisation allows us to be innocent or ignorant of our primitive instincts; once we recognise then we can reach maturity. • Loss of innocence has little to do with age, but is related to a person’s understanding of human nature. • This loss of innocence by coming to terms with reality is necessary if humanity is to survive. Only be recognising and facing evil can it be defeated.

The Loss of Identity • Civilisation separates us from the animals by making us think and make choices. • When civilisation disappears humankind slips back to its animal nature and individual identity disintegrates. • The boys use masks to conceal their identity and this allows them to kill.

Fear of the Unknown • This fear concerns the boys’ terror of the beast. • Their fear grows into hysteria and the boys attempts to deal with this are feeble. • The recognition that no real beast exists, that there is only the power of fear, is one of the deepest meanings of the story. • The trapped piglet symbolises the boys trapped in their own cycle of fear.