Themes and key quotes
For each theme, explain its importance in the book and how the author developed the theme through characters, plot and conflict. Include at least 2 quotes that represent each theme.
the need for civilization
In the book, we saw how the boys were stranded on deserted Tropical Island without any adult supervision. One of the book’s main characters, Ralph, represented civilization by being chosen as the leader of the group. Ralph created rules and regulations while they were trapped in the island. He thought that rules were the only thing that they’ve got while they’re still there and until they finally got rescued. As time passed by, some of the boys showed their true colors, Jack was the first one to represent chaos and violence in the book.
The need for civilization is important because there were no adults supervising them and that they needed to follow the rules in order to survive in the island. Rules were the only thing that they’ve got. Various boys didn’t follow the rules anymore and started to break them by doing the things that they want.
In chapter two, Ralph stated that, “There aren’t any grownups. We shall have to look after ourselves. “ -- (Ch. 2 Pg. 33). This quotes explains that the group of boys needed order or civilization while they’re still stuck in the island. Another situation that represented this theme was the time wherein the kids that didn’t follow the rules pissed Piggy. Piggy said, “Like kids!” he said scornfully. “Acting like a crowd of kids!” – (Ch. 2 Pg. 38). In this situation, the kids most likely needed order and civilization because they acted silly and didn’t obey the commands that Ralph and Piggy has given.
Quotes that represent: The need for civilization
1. , “There aren’t any grownups. We shall have to look after ourselves. “ -- (Ch. 2 Pg. 33).
2. “Like kids!” he said scornfully. “Acting like a crowd of kids!” – (Ch. 2 Pg. 38).
The need for civilization is important because there were no adults supervising them and that they needed to follow the rules in order to survive in the island. Rules were the only thing that they’ve got. Various boys didn’t follow the rules anymore and started to break them by doing the things that they want.
In chapter two, Ralph stated that, “There aren’t any grownups. We shall have to look after ourselves. “ -- (Ch. 2 Pg. 33). This quotes explains that the group of boys needed order or civilization while they’re still stuck in the island. Another situation that represented this theme was the time wherein the kids that didn’t follow the rules pissed Piggy. Piggy said, “Like kids!” he said scornfully. “Acting like a crowd of kids!” – (Ch. 2 Pg. 38). In this situation, the kids most likely needed order and civilization because they acted silly and didn’t obey the commands that Ralph and Piggy has given.
Quotes that represent: The need for civilization
1. , “There aren’t any grownups. We shall have to look after ourselves. “ -- (Ch. 2 Pg. 33).
2. “Like kids!” he said scornfully. “Acting like a crowd of kids!” – (Ch. 2 Pg. 38).
The evil, which lies within man
This theme is one of the controversial and biggest themes that Lord of the Flies has. Most books or movies have the same common theme. The Author, William Golding even mentioned in his biography that human nature is evil.
But we are going to focus what the book has about this theme.
First, as what we have observed about each character, Jack was the one who represented savagery and evil amongst the group. Jack influenced most of the boys that were left, except for Ralph and ones who died, Piggy and Simon.
Jack’s character developed in becoming that violent and blood-longing person and which tells us that evil was in him. Jack loved the idea of hunting and killing. Jack and his fellow hunters even made a bizarre song for chanting and murdering the swine that they’ve successfully hunted. “Kill the pig cut her throat spill her blood!”-- (Ch. 4 Pg. 75). Jack valued and loved hunting the pigs and he always longs to hunt.
Surprisingly, Jack wasn’t really like this at the first part of the book, he and Ralph even had a bond while they were examining the island and the jungle. But, Jack turned out to be that kid who loved hunting and killing, showing us that human really has that evil inside them.
Quotes that represent: The evil, which lies within man
1. ‘He found himself understanding the wearisomeness of this life… though it were part of a brighter childhood’ --(Ch. 5 Pg. 76)
2.“Kill the beast! Cut its throat! Spill the blood!”-- (Ch. 4 Pg. 75)
But we are going to focus what the book has about this theme.
First, as what we have observed about each character, Jack was the one who represented savagery and evil amongst the group. Jack influenced most of the boys that were left, except for Ralph and ones who died, Piggy and Simon.
Jack’s character developed in becoming that violent and blood-longing person and which tells us that evil was in him. Jack loved the idea of hunting and killing. Jack and his fellow hunters even made a bizarre song for chanting and murdering the swine that they’ve successfully hunted. “Kill the pig cut her throat spill her blood!”-- (Ch. 4 Pg. 75). Jack valued and loved hunting the pigs and he always longs to hunt.
Surprisingly, Jack wasn’t really like this at the first part of the book, he and Ralph even had a bond while they were examining the island and the jungle. But, Jack turned out to be that kid who loved hunting and killing, showing us that human really has that evil inside them.
Quotes that represent: The evil, which lies within man
1. ‘He found himself understanding the wearisomeness of this life… though it were part of a brighter childhood’ --(Ch. 5 Pg. 76)
2.“Kill the beast! Cut its throat! Spill the blood!”-- (Ch. 4 Pg. 75)
Mob rule—crowd mentality
Mob rule is a type of leading or controlling people usually led by criminals. Crowd or mob mentality is usually the term used to describe a certain person’s behavior when he or she emerges in huge groups. Also it means that a certain person’s decision is based up what the group is doing.
Mob mentality occurred to be in negative sense because it is referred to the its root word ‘mob’ which means multitude and multitude means there are lots of people that can lead to chaos and violence in that certain place.
In Lord of the Flies, William Golding didn’t address the boys as criminals, but according to his prospect, human nature is evil and that there is a huge possibility that the boys can act like those violent villains. In fact, some of them got into the idea of killing or murdering their fellow group mates.
An example of mob or crowd mentality is the common issue for every child—peer pressure. Haven’t we all been through this stage, wherein we always get pressured if we’re not as updated as our peers? Or if we don’t have what they have? This happened in the book too, as what we’ve covered in the past few pages of this website, the boys were always carried away by what the group is doing. Various boys were in Jack’s group because they wanted meat and do whatever they want. But also, they’re doing such unpleasant deeds. On Ralph’s group, they’re more civilized and organized compared to Jack’s group. There’s a huge possibility that they can be rescued from the island due to Ralph’s brilliant idea by lighting a fire on top of the mountain.
But where is the peer pressure in this? Peer pressure happened when Jack separated from Ralph and decided to form his own tribe. Most of the boys went with Jack because their other friends were there too and that Jack betrayed them about getting what they want. Only Piggy and the twins, Sam and Eric were left with Ralph’s civilized group.
Remember when they were doing the bizarre dance ritual before they realized that they already killed Simon? Do you think that if one of them individually faced Simon alone, would that person decide to murder him? No, right? The boys only killed Simon because they were all caught up by the idea of the whole group killing him.
If the idea of combining mob rule and crowd mentality in a certain society with people that are violent and uncivilized, it would precisely make their society get distracted by such deeds.
Quotes that represent: Mob rule—crowd mentality
1. “All at once the crowd swayed towards the island and were gone-following Jack. Even the tiny kids went and did their best among the leaves and broken branches.” – (Ch. 2 p38)
2. “Then they stepped back laughing with triumphant pleasure…on his head.” – (Ch. 2. p39)
Mob mentality occurred to be in negative sense because it is referred to the its root word ‘mob’ which means multitude and multitude means there are lots of people that can lead to chaos and violence in that certain place.
In Lord of the Flies, William Golding didn’t address the boys as criminals, but according to his prospect, human nature is evil and that there is a huge possibility that the boys can act like those violent villains. In fact, some of them got into the idea of killing or murdering their fellow group mates.
An example of mob or crowd mentality is the common issue for every child—peer pressure. Haven’t we all been through this stage, wherein we always get pressured if we’re not as updated as our peers? Or if we don’t have what they have? This happened in the book too, as what we’ve covered in the past few pages of this website, the boys were always carried away by what the group is doing. Various boys were in Jack’s group because they wanted meat and do whatever they want. But also, they’re doing such unpleasant deeds. On Ralph’s group, they’re more civilized and organized compared to Jack’s group. There’s a huge possibility that they can be rescued from the island due to Ralph’s brilliant idea by lighting a fire on top of the mountain.
But where is the peer pressure in this? Peer pressure happened when Jack separated from Ralph and decided to form his own tribe. Most of the boys went with Jack because their other friends were there too and that Jack betrayed them about getting what they want. Only Piggy and the twins, Sam and Eric were left with Ralph’s civilized group.
Remember when they were doing the bizarre dance ritual before they realized that they already killed Simon? Do you think that if one of them individually faced Simon alone, would that person decide to murder him? No, right? The boys only killed Simon because they were all caught up by the idea of the whole group killing him.
If the idea of combining mob rule and crowd mentality in a certain society with people that are violent and uncivilized, it would precisely make their society get distracted by such deeds.
Quotes that represent: Mob rule—crowd mentality
1. “All at once the crowd swayed towards the island and were gone-following Jack. Even the tiny kids went and did their best among the leaves and broken branches.” – (Ch. 2 p38)
2. “Then they stepped back laughing with triumphant pleasure…on his head.” – (Ch. 2. p39)
The loss of innocence
At the beginning of the book, the boys were still innocent and that they don’t know anything about savagery or violence. But as the chapters went by, some of the boys lost their innocence due to human nature being evil. Another cause can be crowd or mob mentality. Also the boys longed to survive while they were still in the island, as they came into their senses, they’ve realized that this world where they’re staying isn’t fantasy, in order to survive from their situation, they had kick out their innocence. We can see this in Jack’s character, as he went hunting, at first, he didn’t have the urge to kill the swine, but he and his group need meat so it was mandatory for him to murder the swine.
The biggest factor why the boys lost their innocence while they were in the island were that their high hopes of being rescued was spoiled. With adult supervision, a child can remain innocent. In the first chapter, Piggy always mentioned his ‘Auntie’, Ralph talked about his dad being in the British Navy, and another boy told a story about where he lived and how those adults can lead him back to his place. But as the plot developed, these boys became independent on their decisions and had negative thoughts about not being rescued. If the boys had adult supervision while on the island, would their innocence stay?
In chapter five, the author tried to express Ralph’s deep thinking. Ralph realized how the world really evolves—“ He found himself the wearisomeness of his life.” – (Ch. 5 Pg. 76). Ralph stated that, “…Though it were part of a brighter childhood.” In this phrase we can infer that Ralph became more mature about his feelings and that means he lost his innocence in many ways.
Quotes that represent: The loss of innocence
1. “Kill the beast! Cut its throat! Spill the blood!” – (Ch. 9 p152)
2. “He found himself understanding the wearisomeness of this life…one’s feet.” -- (Ch. 5 p76)
The biggest factor why the boys lost their innocence while they were in the island were that their high hopes of being rescued was spoiled. With adult supervision, a child can remain innocent. In the first chapter, Piggy always mentioned his ‘Auntie’, Ralph talked about his dad being in the British Navy, and another boy told a story about where he lived and how those adults can lead him back to his place. But as the plot developed, these boys became independent on their decisions and had negative thoughts about not being rescued. If the boys had adult supervision while on the island, would their innocence stay?
In chapter five, the author tried to express Ralph’s deep thinking. Ralph realized how the world really evolves—“ He found himself the wearisomeness of his life.” – (Ch. 5 Pg. 76). Ralph stated that, “…Though it were part of a brighter childhood.” In this phrase we can infer that Ralph became more mature about his feelings and that means he lost his innocence in many ways.
Quotes that represent: The loss of innocence
1. “Kill the beast! Cut its throat! Spill the blood!” – (Ch. 9 p152)
2. “He found himself understanding the wearisomeness of this life…one’s feet.” -- (Ch. 5 p76)
power and abuse of power
In Lord of the Flies, there was power and abuse of power in each of the major characters, Ralph and Jack. Ralph became the leader and had authority over the kids on the island. He also made some basic rules and regulations to keep them all in order while they’re still trapped. Ralph used the power that he obtained in a good manner and because he made some rules the group became civilized for a little while.
On the other hand, Jack also had power but abused it. He ordered some of his tribes to do something violent to Piggy. They had to follow him because he was leader. Jack didn’t have this kind of power in the beginning, but as most of the kids transferred to his tribe, he had more authority over them but used his power in a negative way.
Quotes that represent: Power and the abuse of power
1. “Go on. Tie them.” – (Ch.11 p179)
2. “More wood. All of you get more wood.” – (Ch. 2 p41)
On the other hand, Jack also had power but abused it. He ordered some of his tribes to do something violent to Piggy. They had to follow him because he was leader. Jack didn’t have this kind of power in the beginning, but as most of the kids transferred to his tribe, he had more authority over them but used his power in a negative way.
Quotes that represent: Power and the abuse of power
1. “Go on. Tie them.” – (Ch.11 p179)
2. “More wood. All of you get more wood.” – (Ch. 2 p41)
blindness and sight
This theme is not as literal as it is. Blindness and sight in this book described how the boys were all blind about what’s happening to them and to their selves. The boys were all independent and without adults they all had the freedom they wanted but, in the end they didn’t know how to distinguish what was right or wrong because no one was monitoring them.
As the plot developed, the boys gradually realized about what’s happening to them. But that didn’t happen instantly, since their hope was lost when they expected that England would come and rescue them in a short time. After this incident, they didn’t really care anymore and Ralph still kept the fire going on the mountain.
We can see the hope in Ralph’s heart that they’re still a huge possibility that they can be rescued from the doom, Ralph felt guilty about being part of the death of Simon. Jack’s tribe wasn’t guilty at all and they’re not worried about being rescued or not. Lastly, the British naval officer saw the smoke that was on going. At that time, the boys’ eyes were opened and they were aware of what they’ve done which led them to tears.
Quotes that represent: Blindness and sight
1. “Kill the beast! Cut its throat! Spill the blood!” “Now out of the terror rose another desire, thick, urgent, blind.” –(Ch. 9 p152)
2. “ … Ralph wept for the end of innocence, the darkness of man’s heart, and the fall through the air of the true, wise friend called Piggy.” – (Ch. 12 p202)
As the plot developed, the boys gradually realized about what’s happening to them. But that didn’t happen instantly, since their hope was lost when they expected that England would come and rescue them in a short time. After this incident, they didn’t really care anymore and Ralph still kept the fire going on the mountain.
We can see the hope in Ralph’s heart that they’re still a huge possibility that they can be rescued from the doom, Ralph felt guilty about being part of the death of Simon. Jack’s tribe wasn’t guilty at all and they’re not worried about being rescued or not. Lastly, the British naval officer saw the smoke that was on going. At that time, the boys’ eyes were opened and they were aware of what they’ve done which led them to tears.
Quotes that represent: Blindness and sight
1. “Kill the beast! Cut its throat! Spill the blood!” “Now out of the terror rose another desire, thick, urgent, blind.” –(Ch. 9 p152)
2. “ … Ralph wept for the end of innocence, the darkness of man’s heart, and the fall through the air of the true, wise friend called Piggy.” – (Ch. 12 p202)
fear of the unknown
This theme talks about the fear that was arising in each boy’s head. In the first part of the book, a littlun named Percival saw a “snake-like, beastie” in his nightmare, when he discussed this to the group, the other boys were influenced by what he saw and got frightened too. They were all terrified with the beastie. The “unknown” was this mythical creature that bulged from their imagination. Ralph tried to comfort and convinced the littluns that there was no beastie and that it was just a dream. But with the mindset of having a beastie around, the boys even the biguns were frightened of the beastie.
Quotes that represent: Fear of the unknown
1. “ Now he says it was a beastie.” – (Ch. 2 p35)
2. “Why don’t you go? Are you frightened?” (Ch. 7 p121)
Quotes that represent: Fear of the unknown
1. “ Now he says it was a beastie.” – (Ch. 2 p35)
2. “Why don’t you go? Are you frightened?” (Ch. 7 p121)