Savagery

Test yourself

Savagery

Golding uses the novel to show that people are basically savage creatures.

Evil

In Lord of the Flies, we are shown a small society which appears to be civilised at first, but Golding shows that this apparent civility is just hiding what really lurks within the hearts of people: evil.

Metaphor

Golding suggests that, even while societies and civilisations thrive and grow, they are only hiding the metaphorical evil beast that lurks within all of us.

The beast

This “beast” cannot ever be destroyed, but is just hidden.
Sometimes, the beastly nature will rear its head, causing horrible things to happen.
Evil is always waiting for a chance to take over.

Appearance

The boys’ appearance changes as savagery descends.
They begin as well-dressed, nicely-groomed young men who follow rules and obey orders.
However, as soon as they are given the chance (by Jack) to rebel against civility, they grab it and abandon their appearance of civilised young boys.

Savage nature

Then, the brutality of the pig hunt excites the boys and they lose themselves in the mob.
They then kill Simon.
As their savage natures begin to be allowed to take hold, they drop further and further into evil, killing and hurting as they go.

1Context

1.1Context

1.1.1The Title

1.1.2Historical Context

1.1.3End of Topic Test - Context

2Story Analysis

2.1Chapter 1

2.1.1The Sound of the Shell

2.1.2The Sound of the Shell 2

2.2Chapter 2

2.2.1Fire on the Mountain

2.3Chapter 3

2.3.1Huts on the Beach

2.4Chapter 4

2.4.1Painted Faces & Long Hair

2.5Chapter 5

2.5.1Beast from the Water

2.5.2Beast from the Water 2

2.6Chapter 6

2.6.1Beast From the Air

2.7Chapter 7

2.7.1Shadows & Tall Trees

2.8Chapter 8

2.8.1Gift for the Darkness

2.8.2Gift for the Darkness 2

2.8.3Gift for the Darkness 3

2.9Chapter 9

2.9.1A View to a Death

2.10Chapter 10

2.10.1The Shell & the Glasses

2.11Chapter 11

2.11.1Castle Rock

2.12Chapter 12

2.12.1Cry of the Hunters

3Key Characters

3.1Profiles

3.1.1Ralph

3.1.2Piggy

3.1.3Jack

3.1.4Exam-Style Questions - Jack

3.1.5Simon

3.1.6Roger

3.1.7End of Topic Test - Ralph, Piggy & Jack

3.1.8End of Topic Test - Simon & Roger

3.1.9Grade 9 - Key Characters

4Key Concepts

4.1Themes

4.1.1Human Nature

4.1.2The Beast

4.1.3Savagery

4.1.4Location & Setting

4.1.5Democracy & Dictatorship

4.1.6Power & Control

4.1.7End of Topic Test - Themes

5Writing Techniques

5.1Writing Techniques

5.1.1Allegory

5.1.2Foreshadowing

5.1.3Pathetic Fallacy

5.1.4Naming

5.1.5End of Topic Test - Writing Techniques

6Recap: Main Quotes

6.1Characters Quotes

6.1.1Ralph - Quotations

6.1.2Piggy - Quotations

6.1.3Jack - Quotations

6.1.4Simon - Quotations

6.1.5Roger - Quotations

6.2Text Structure - Quotes

6.2.1The Sound of the Shell - Quotations

6.2.2Fire on the Mountain - Quotations

6.2.3Huts on the Beach - Quotations

6.2.4Painted Faces & Long Hair - Quotations

6.2.5Beast from the Water - Quotations

6.2.6Beast From the Air - Quotations

6.2.7Shadows & Tall Trees - Quotations

6.2.8Gift for the Darkness - Quotations

6.2.9Gift for the Darkness - Quotations 2

6.2.10A View to a Death - Quotations

6.2.11The Shell & the Glasses - Quotations

6.2.12Castle Rock - Quotations

6.2.13Cry of the Hunters - Quotations

Jump to other topics