Themes

Coming of Age

When the boys first arrive on the beach they are excited that there are no adults there to order them around. However, this does take a toll on the boys; they must assume responsibility for themselves. An ongoing issue throughout the story is making sure that the signal fire stays lit. The signal fire is their one hope of rescue, and ensures their possible future safety. The signal fire is the most important chore since it is their only means of escape, if there were adults present on the island that would be something entrusted to adults not boys. The longer the boys remain on the island the more larger their indifference grows. They do not have the foresight to realize that it may take longer than a simple day or two for rescue to come. Over time they realize this, and they are rescued, however it is important to recognize that they are not rescued because of the signal fire.

Perhaps the largest example of coming of age is found towards the middle of the book with Simon discovering what the actual beast of the island is. After having a vision of the decapitated pig's head, he realizes that man has an inner beast that allows him to commit acts of violence against their fellow man. Even though they are children, they discover this after Simon's, but especially Piggy's death. Ralph weeps at the end of book for the innocence he had lost and for the discovery that man is capable of violence and evil acts towards one another.

Civilization vs. Wilderness

One of the ongoing concepts throughout the novel is the contrast between civilization and wilderness. Civilization is symbolized by the beach, which serves as a place of order and structure. The boys build shelters, make fire, and for the most part, follow the rules of their self-made civilization. The peaceful island is directly juxtaposed by the wilderness which represents a place of savagery. Unlike Ralph who demonstrates leadership on the beach, Jack displays barbarity as he ruthlessly conquers and exerts power over the forest. Jack serves as a foil character for Ralph, the protagonist, but as the novel continues, the disparity between these two opposing characters decreases. Likewise, the difference between the beach and forest also diminishes. For the first half of Lord of the Flies, Ralph and his civilized beach are distinct from Jack and his barbaric forest. Most of the boys, besides Jack, still feel connected to the civilized world and act as though adults are present. Yet, as time goes on, the boys ignore all of their preconceived social norms and listen to their savage instincts. The beach becomes just as abominable as the forest, and even Ralph forgets the importance of rescue and joins the other boys in the murder of Simon. Basically, through Golding’s interplay between civilization and wilderness, he conveys that while civilization suppresses the darkness inside of people, it does not make it disappear.