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Savagery and Civilized Society in Lord of the Flies

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The conflict between savagery and civilization is expressed in Golding's brilliantly allegorical novel, "Lord of The Flies." While the tendency to turn to savagery or civilization is innate, humans can be influenced to choose one path over the other through the leadership that they follow. Golding illustrates the innate human instinct to turn to savagery or civilization and likewise, order or chaos through his portrayal of the opposing main characters, Ralph and Jack. While Ralph is trying to build a civilization, Jack is doing the complete opposite. Ralph is giving orders to the boys, telling them to help build huts on the beach so this way they have shelter, but very few are listening to him. On the other hand, Jack is concentrated on hunting and is not concerned in what Ralph wants done. This is seen in chapter 3, where Ralph asks Jack if he can help build huts on the shore. Jack uses the boy's need for meat as an excuse so he can avoid this task and continues the hunt for the pig. This action taken by him brings to light his primitiveness and also shows the reader his role as the antagonist. Clearly a conflict between Jack and Ralph emerges. The leadership role is first achieved by Ralph, but things start to change and power shifts to Jack. Unlike before when Ralph was comfortable blowing the conch whenever he felt there can be an assembly he no longer has that power. Ralph is afraid that if he blows the conch the boys will ignore him. This is the first sign of Ralph understanding the loss of his leadership. With the fall of Ralph's leadership Jack is able to start building his own tribe. He does this by using his charisma to manipulate others into accepting his ideology. In chapter 4, Jack kills a sow and hangs its head on a stick as an offer to the beast. This action taken by him shows his savage side starting to appear. As the plot further develops the savagery within Jack becomes more evident. We see this when him and his tri

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