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How Does Golding Present Adolescence In Lord Of The Flies

Decent Essays

In Lord of the Flies by William Golding, the depictions of childhood and adolescence are used to shape the overall meaning of the work. Depicted differently by different characters, adolescence is used to represent the different societies and governments in place around the world & how delicate they really are. In the novel, it becomes clear that Ralph’s character is used to represent a leader in an organized democracy while Jack’s persona is presented as more savage and power-hungry. Jack’s character is shown to clash with Ralph’s because Jack wants power & leadership and causes for an autocracy while Ralph wants the opposite. Aside from Ralph and Jack lies Piggy, clearly used to show intellect and portray the government’s disregard for science and knowledge. In the novel, Ralph, the elected leader of the group of boys in Lord of the Flies, creates a democracy among them all, using the conch as an effective method of maintaining order and calling meetings. The conch, representing order and civilisation, is idolized from first sight, one child exclaiming, “Let him be chief with the trumpet-thing” (Golding 22). It’s fairly obvious the reasons why Ralph was elected leader aren’t well supported, emphasizing society’s shallow nature and ignorance for knowledge (shown in their choice not to elect Piggy as chief). …show more content…

This character is used to not only represent an autocracy and savagery, but the effects of a non-civilised society and the damage caused by it. Jack once refers to Ralph, saying, “He’s like Piggy. He says things like Piggy. He isn’t a proper chief” (Golding 126). By saying this, Ralph insinuates that knowledge is not as valuable as physical capability. This quote applies to the idea that Jack is a savage & his ideas of government are uncontrollable and dangerous. He is murderous and power-hungry, mirroring the theme of savagery versus

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