Exploring Cannibalism in William Golding’s Lord of the Flies

BySolidarity Project Blog

In Lord of the Flies, cannibalism is used to symbolize the savage primitive instinct for power and control that exists in all humans.

Cannibalism Lord Of The Flies

Cannibalism in Lord of the Flies is an important theme that reveals the increasing savagery of the boys on the island as they become more removed from civilization. In this classic novel by William Golding, a group of schoolboys find themselves stranded on a deserted island after their plane crashes. Initially, their struggle is to survive and they form a makeshift society with Ralph as their leader. But over time, without adult authority or rules to enforce civility, the boys descend into fear and violence. Cannibalism, or eating human flesh, symbolizes this descent into savagery and reflects societys chaotic fragility and barbarism at its extremes. As the boys’ primitive impulses grow more dominant, so does their collective resentment towards Ralph driving them to hunt him down like an animal. By exploring notions of civilization, power dynamics and fear, Lord of The Flies paints a complex portrait of human nature in all its perplexity and burstiness.

Cannibalism in Lord of the Flies

Cannibalism is an ancient practice, often used as a means of survival in primitive cultures, and a powerful symbol of humanitys darkest nature. In William Goldings classic novel Lord of the Flies, cannibalism is used to represent the characters psychological and physical degradation, as well as the overall decline of morality and innocence. It also serves as a powerful symbol for Jack’s corrupting influence on the boys.

Definition of Cannibalism

Traditional Definition: Cannibalism is defined as consuming the flesh or internal organs of another human being. It is most often seen in primitive societies where food sources are scarce or when partaking in rituals such as funerary cannibalism.

Definition as Used in Lord of the Flies: In Lord of the Flies, cannibalism is used to emphasize the characters descent into savagery. It serves as a representation of their physical and mental decline, and symbolizes their loss of innocence and morality. As they become more desperate for food, they resort to eating human flesh out of necessity rather than choice.

Significance for Survival

Background Information: Cannibalism has been used by various cultures throughout history as a means for survival in times when food sources are scarce or during ritualistic practices. It has been documented amongst some Native American tribes, Australian Aborigines, Polynesians, and even amongst some prehistoric tribes in Europe. Although it was once seen as a necessary practice for survival, it has since been outlawed by most societies due to its taboo nature.

Reasons Revealed in the Novel: In Lord of the Flies, cannibalism is revealed to be an essential part of survival for Jacks tribe. After killing their first pig, they begin to hunt humans instead because they find it easier to capture them than animals. This form of hunting also gives them a sense of power over their prey that they cannot get from hunting animals alone. The fear that comes with being hunted is so powerful that it makes them feel invincible and allows them to forget about their own mortality for a moment.

Symbolism of Cannibalism

In Humanity: Cannibalism has long been associated with humanitys darkest side; societies that partake in this practice are often seen as savage or uncivilized by outsiders. It has been used as an indicator that these societies have descended into barbarity due to their lack of resources or moral compass. In Lord Of The Flies this symbolism is continued with Jacks tribe becoming more barbaric with each human kill they make until eventually they are no longer recognizable from any other animal on the island.

Cannibalism Lord Of The Flies

The novel Lord of the Flies by William Golding has been widely studied as an allegorical story, exploring the nature of man through symbolism and archetypal theory. It is particularly relevant to discuss the themes of cannibalism and its implications in the text. In this essay, we will look at Ralphs quest for civilization, the role of Conch as a symbol of law and order, as well as its comparison with other literary works regarding cannibalism.

Ralph’s Quest For Civilization

Ralphs character arc throughout Lord of the Flies expresses his struggle between his desire for civilization and his temptation to succumb to savagery. He is constantly tested by his peers who seem more content with living off the land than creating a society with laws and social hierarchy. Despite Ralphs best efforts, he is constantly rejected by Jacks tribe due to their fear of him wielding too much power in their lives. This ultimately leads to feelings of powerlessness when faced with increasing recklessness on the island.

The Role Of Conch As Symbol Of Law And Order

The conch serves as a reminder of law and order on the island. Initially it is treated with reverence, but as Jacks tribe gains more power it begins to lose its importance among them. Ralphs use of it diminishes significantly until it is finally destroyed by Jack in an effort to show that he has conquered all authority on the island. The conch not only serves to represent law and order but also authority itself; its destruction demonstrates Jacks rejection of any form of control over him or his tribe.

Comparison With Other Literary Works Regarding Cannibalism

Tales about cannibalism have been present in literature for centuries; however, it has taken on different forms throughout history. In older literature such as Homers The Odyssey, cannibalism was often seen in a positive light due to characters being rewarded for their actions or even achieving immortality through it. Modern literature however tends to demonize characters who partake in such activities, often portraying them as barbaric or savage people who lack reason or morality. In Lord of the Flies, Golding uses cannibalism symbolically to illustrate how unchecked savagery can lead to chaos when left unchecked by any form of authority or civilization. Moreover, there are mythological implications behind cannibalistic behaviour; some stories suggest that consuming another person can give you access to their knowledge or powers which could explain why certain characters were willing to partake in such activities even when they had access to other sources of food on the island

FAQ & Answers

Q: What is the traditional definition of cannibalism?
A: Cannibalism is the practice of consuming another human being or their flesh. It is a widespread cultural practice that has been documented in many cultures throughout history, including the ancient Aztecs and certain tribes in New Guinea.

Q: How does cannibalism take shape in Lord of the Flies?
A: In Lord of the Flies, cannibalism is used as a metaphor for savagery and the loss of innocence. The boys on the island resort to eating pigs as a way to survive, but they eventually become so desperate that they consider killing and eating one another. This reflects how even under extreme circumstances, humans can become savage.

Q: What are some psychological effects of cannibalism on characters in Lord of the Flies?
A: In Lord of the Flies, two separate groups form on the island Jacks tribe and Ralphs tribe. Jacks tribe degrades further and further as they become more savage and resort to cannibalism as an act of desperation. Meanwhile, Ralphs group struggles with their morality as they must decide whether or not to give into savagery by eating pig meat or not. In either case, there are psychological effects on both sides degradation for Jacks tribe and a loss of innocence for Ralphs group.

Q: What is the role of Conch in Lord of The Flies?
A: The conch plays an important symbolic role in Lord Of The Flies, representing law and order among the boys on the island. Initially, it was used by Ralph to summon meetings among all boys when it was blown like a horn; however, over time it loses its power as Jack takes control with his own rules created out of fear and revenge tactics. Eventually it is destroyed when Jack throws it down a mountain during an attack on Ralph’s camp, signifying that chaos has taken over from law and order.

Q: How does Lord Of The Flies compare with other literary works regarding cannibalism?
A: One key comparison between Lord Of The Flies and other literary works with regards to cannibalism is its use as a tool for demonizing characters. In modern literature such as Cormac McCarthys novel The Road, cannibals are depicted as monsters who are monsters who prey upon innocent victims; this same idea can be seen in Lord Of The Flies where Jack’s tribe are seen as savages due to their resorting to cannibalism during their time on the island. Additionally, there have been examples throughout history where cannibals have been seen as mythical creatures with supernatural powers; this can be seen in stories such as Homers Odyssey where Odysseus must face off against giant cannibals while sailing home from war.

In conclusion, cannibalism in Lord of the Flies can be seen as a metaphor for the darkness of human nature. By presenting the characters with an extreme circumstance – being stranded on an uninhabited island – Golding is able to push them to their limits and observe how they respond. The boys willingness to resort to cannibalism speaks to their descent into savagery, and serves as a reminder of how quickly our civilized society can unravel when facing chaotic or desperate situations.

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