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Lord Of The Flies Isolationism

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The Lord of the Flies written by William Golding is an allegory that connects the boys’ behavior in the novel to the basic instinct of human nature. Revolving around a time of war, the plane of several British schoolboys is shot down, and they find themselves stranded on an island without the guidance of adults. Initially, the young children are motivated to construct a stable and organized leadership similar to the one they left behind, but the boys are faced with challenges and inner conflicts. The struggles the group faces and the effect of isolationism influences the boys into their descent toward savagery. Golding's characterization of Roger over the course of the novel portrays how the loose imposition of rules, morals, and structure …show more content…

A small boy with the name of Roger understands that a stabilized society is a necessity because as English schoolchildren, it is their responsibility to be “best at everything” (Golding 42). Roger and the other boys are motivated to become involved in leadership because they recognize their opportunity to gain control of something important. As English young adults, they are expected to be the “best” and set a strong example because the assumption of a dignified appearance is prominent. Although Roger acknowledges the significance of structure on the island, he is initially reluctant to speak out because he was taught to leash and mask his impulses. He remains quiet and keeps “to himself with an inner intensity” (Golding 22), portraying the plain and simple personality of the boy. By doubling the use of the letter “i” in his alliteration, Golding alludes to the idea that while most of the boys on the island know each other, Roger’s background is completely unknown. He wanders the island by himself and does not speak often, but his words are always powerful. Rather than allowing Jack, the antagonist of the story, to become chief automatically, Roger requests a vote: “The dark boy, Roger, stirred at last and spoke up. “Let’s have a vote” (Golding 22). Roger may keep to himself, but his suggestion of a “vote” for the chief on the island, …show more content…

The boys enjoy the thrill of hunting, but when Roger demands that the group murders a sow by entering “right up her ass!” (Golding 135), it is a turning point for his character. Not only is he intrigued by the killing, but Roger is truly stripped of his innocence. Godling describes the death of the pig in sexually violent language because throughout the novel, it has been appropriate to strive for sustenance, but Roger’s willingness to abuse the animal is unnecessary, and it displays the drastic change in his personality since he first arrived on the island. The sow was the beginning of several destructive actions, and Roger continues to gain power amongst the tribe. He becomes active in every chase, and he throws rocks to exemplify the power he has over those that are weaker: “Roger was dropping them, his one hand still on the lever. Below him, Ralph was a shock of hair and Piggy a bag of fat” (Golding 180). Roger’s description of Piggy as a “bag of fat” mentally dehumanizes those that are not similar to him, and effectively detaches him from the restraints of decency. Without the fear of consequences, “Roger, with a sense of delirious abandonment, [leans] all his weight on the lever” (Golding 180). Roger is aware that Piggy is standing below him, but his willingness to attack the moment with “delirious abandonment,” clearly implies

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