The Theme of Civilization vs. Savagery in Lord of the Flies: Analyzing the Breakdown of Societal Norms on the Island

In Lord of the Flies, William Golding explores the fundamental conflict between civilization and savagery through a group of boys stranded on an uninhabited island. Initially, the boys try to establish a sense of order by following structured rules, such as building shelters and using a conch to call meetings. However, as the story unfolds, their society begins to deteriorate, and the boys’ descent into barbarism exposes the fragility of civilization.

Golding uses this descent to illustrate how societal norms and moral structures are only thin veils over the primal instincts that lie within human nature. The boys' rapid transformation from a civil society into a savage tribe serves as a metaphor for the collapse of social order in the absence of external controls, highlighting the tension between the civilizing influence of society and the inherent chaos of human nature.

Through the portrayal of this breakdown, Lord of the Flies raises significant questions about the stability of civilization and the extent to which humans are capable of reverting to savagery when removed from the structures of society.