The Decline in Order and Civilization
In both real life and fiction, without authority the world would fall apart. This is evident in the novel Lord of the Files by William Golding. The gradual decline in order and civilization starts the minute the boys arrive on the island. In this novel there are hints that their attempts to create order will fail, partial destruction of society, and they experience barbaric chaos, this essay will demonstrate how these factors brought upon the decline in order and civilization.
Secondly, partial destruction of their society is evident, illustrating the gradual decline in order and civilization. The symbolism of the gradual breaking of Piggy’s glasses is an example of partial destruction. This is because the glasses represent authority and intellectual thinking, and throughout the novel, when the glasses become more broken, it seems as if authority and intellectual thinking is declining. “Ralph made a step forward and Jack smacked Piggy’s head. Piggy’s glasses flew off and tinkled on the rocks”(Page 75).
This is when Jack semi-brakes Piggy’s glasses, at this point in the story; order and civilization is declining. This connects the symbolism of Piggy’s glasses to authority and intellectual thinking. Next, the fire burning half of the island also represents partial destruction of society. They are beginning to become more irresponsible which results in this fire. “As they watched, a flash of fire appeared at the root of one wisp, and then smoke thickened” (Page 44).
The Essay on Decline Of Order Boys Boy Power
... thought, causing an uprising of destruction. Common Denominator: Ways in which the decline of order results in anarchy and ... be more prominent. a. The boys have no civilization or supervision to relate to so they realize ... B. Jack suggests the idea of using Piggy's glasses to light the fire. C. Although the fire ... second nature to the young uneducated boys. 1. Piggy often say's that the boy's act like "a ...
This is at the start of the fire, and it quickly catches half of the island on fire. Also, the killing of the sow represents partial destruction of society. This is because
the killing of the sow is the turning point for the boys, in which the turning point is that they actually kill a pig, and this pig means even more because it is a female pig who probably had babies. And if you’re willing to kill a mother and it’s babies, you’re willing to kill anything. “Jack was on top of the sow, stabbing downward with his knife” (Page 149).
Here Jack is killing the sow, being very vicious and savage-like. This shows partial destruction of the boys’ manners and their civilization. Furthermore, the gradual breaking of Piggy’s glasses, the fire burning half of the island, and the killing of the sow all represent the partial destruction of their society.
In Summation, the factors given for why there is a decline in order and civilization are explained. These factors are hints that their attempt to create order will fail, partial destruction of their society, and barbaric chaos. Therefore, without authority and order, the boys’ society falls apart just like in real life, where if there is no order in the world; it would fall apart.
