Several prominent themes run throughout the novel. Perhaps the most notable is the idea of savagery versus civilization and the inherent evil within man. Below are some quotes that highlight this theme throughout the novel.
Civilization vs. Savagery
“Piggy and Ralph, under the threat of the sky, found themselves eager to take a place in this demented but partly secure society. They were glad to touch the brown backs of the fence that hemmed in the terror and made it governable.”
The Narrator, Chapter 9
In this scene, Piggy and Ralph, despite their earlier resistance to Jack’s tribe, find themselves drawn into the wild energy of the group during a frenzied ritual. The “fence” refers to the other boys gathered around in a tribal dance, and both Piggy and Ralph find the madness oddly seductive. This shows that savagery draws to itself even those who cling to civilization. It speaks to the fragility of social norms when faced with primal fear. The boys’ desire for “security” amid dread shows the human urge for structure, even if that structure is born from terror. This scene presents the novel’s theme of civilization versus savagery, with Ralph and Piggy losing grip on their former ideals.
“Ralph took the conch from where it lay on the polished seat and held it to his lips; but then he hesitated and did not blow. He held the shell up instead and showed it to them and they understood.”
The Narrator, Chapter 6
At this point, Ralph wants to speak at a meeting and does not need to blow the conch to maintain order. The conch is now established as a symbol of authority and order in the boys’ minds. Instead of using its sound to gather attention, he merely holds it up as a silent gesture of leadership. This moment shows how strongly humans are social and respond to social cues, which they have become exposed to often enough. The boys’ unspoken understanding hints at the power of symbolism, where the conch’s power no longer needs to be vocalized to get the desired effect. Golding’s use of silence here deepens the theme of the fragile hold of civilization and foreshadows the impending collapse of order.
“Look, I’m goin’ to say, you’re stronger than I am and you haven’t got asthma. You can see, I’m goin’ to say, and with both eyes. But I don’t ask for my glasses back, not as a favor. I don’t ask you to be a sport, I’ll say, not because you’re strong, but because what’s right’s right. Give me my glasses, I’m going to say—you got to!”
Piggy, Chapter 11
In this scene, Piggy pleads with Jack to return his glasses, which Jack stole, because he needs them to see. Piggy’s speech here highlights the growing conflict between civility and savagery. Although physically weak, Piggy tries to reason with Jack, appealing not to strength but justice and fairness. His words, “What’s right’s right,” reflect his belief in the moral order that the boys have abandoned. The fact that Jack ignores Piggy’s appeal and the events that follow—Piggy’s death and the destruction of the conch—show the triumph of savagery over civilization.
“Kill the pig. Cut her throat. Spill her blood.“
The boys’ chant, Chapter 7
The boys are reenacting their successful hunt of a pig, and the game almost gets out of hand, and they rough up one of the boys, Robert. This is particularly interesting as the novel has no female characters, so the sow is the only representation of femininity. The desire to rid the island of femininity seems to be a powerful concept. When the children start chanting this, it becomes pretty jarring, almost scary. In my opinion, this is one of the most unnerving parts of the novel, as it helps to portray a frenzy. While I disagree with Golding’s broader message, there are examples in the real world where peer pressure has led to frenzies like the one described here. For instance, two rival schools clashed in the UK, and several students were severely injured or died in the fray.
Innocence vs. Loss of Morality
“Roger gathered a handful of stones and began to throw them. Yet there was a space round Henry, perhaps six yards in diameter, into which he dare not throw. Here, invisible yet strong, was the taboo of the old life. Round the squatting child was the protection of parents and school and policemen and the law.”
The Narrator, Chapter 4
Roger, one of Jack’s more violent followers, throws stones at a younger boy, Henry. Yet, an unseen barrier prevents him from throwing the stones directly at Henry, a remnant of the moral code from their civilized upbringing. This quote shows the struggle between the boys’ ingrained morals and their growing savagery. Roger’s hesitation marks the lingering influence of the rules from the world they once knew—parents, teachers, and laws. However, this “invisible” barrier is weakening, and Roger will soon discard it entirely. Golding paints this moment with tension, hinting at Roger’s eventual transformation from a thrower of pebbles around kids to the one who drops a massive boulder on Piggy. The metaphor of the “taboo of the old life” suggests the fragility of the social norms that once held them together, about to break under the pressure of their isolation.
“His mind was crowded with memories; memories of the knowledge that had come to them when they closed in on the struggling pig, knowledge that they had outwitted a living thing, imposed their will upon it, taken away its life like a long satisfying drink.”
The Narrator, Chapter 4
After their first successful hunt, Jack and his hunters revel in the thrill of killing the pig. This moment marks a turning point for the boys as they experience bloodlust for the first time and revel in the wild feeling. Golding uses visceral language to describe the boys’ exhilaration from the hunt, comparing the act of taking life to a “satisfying drink.” This metaphor emphasizes the intoxicating power they feel over nature and each other. This event marks the erosion of their morality and foreshadows the darker acts of violence. The memory of the kill lingers in their minds, signaling that their descent into savagery is now tied to a sense of satisfaction and dominance.
“Ralph wept for the end of innocence, the darkness of man’s heart, and the fall through the air of the true, wise friend called Piggy.“
The Narrator, Chapter 12
At the novel’s end, when the boys are rescued, Ralph cries at the memory of their experience on the island. Piggy’s death symbolizes the end of any reason. While Ralph is displayed as a democratic leader throughout the text, Piggy is the brains of the operation. Piggy’s glasses symbolize progressive thinking and rationality. Piggy himself represents the human ability to harness logical ideas and move towards progress, so when he is killed, it is a sign that the boys have fully regressed. This is the moment where Golding truly drives home his point that darkness exists at the very core of mankind.
Fear and Human Nature
“I’m the Beast… You knew, didn’t you? I’m part of you.”
Simon’s revelation while facing the pig’s head, Chapter 8
Simon imagines the severed pig’s head (the “Lord of the Flies”) speaking to him during a hallucination. At this moment, Simon understands that the “beast” the boys fear is not a physical creature but a manifestation of their inner darkness. This quote is central to Golding’s theme of inherent human evil. The “Beast” here is not an external monster but a part of the boys themselves, representing the darker impulses within human nature. Simon’s realization that “I’m part of you” suggests that the true danger lies within the boys’ hearts, not in any outside threat. The image of the pig’s head serves as a powerful symbol of decay, madness, and the loss of innocence.
“Life… is scientific… there isn’t no beast… there isn’t no fear… unless we get frightened of people.”
Piggy, Chapter 5
In this scene, Piggy tries to reassure the group that their fears are irrational. He insists that fear comes not from any external monster but from their minds and relationships. Piggy’s statement reveals his logical bent and belief in reason over superstition. His denial of the beast represents his faith in science and rationality, even as the boys around him descend into chaos. Ironically, Piggy’s insight about fear being rooted in human nature foreshadows the real danger—each other. Golding uses Piggy’s character to voice the rational perspective, though it becomes clear that reason will not prevail in the face of primal instincts.
Leadership and Authority
“‘We’ve got to have rules and obey them. After all, we’re not savages. We’re English, and the English are best at everything.’”
Jack, Chapter 2
Early in the novel, Jack confidently speaks about maintaining order among the boys, insisting that rules are essential to avoid chaos. At this point, he still holds on to the idea of civilization. Jack’s statement here is laced with irony. While he initially advocates for rules and order, he will later lead the descent into savagery. His reference to being “English” as a mark of superiority reflects the boys’ initial belief in their cultural identity as a safeguard against barbarism. The line is deeply ironic, given England’s history of acting savagely towards nations that they deemed less advanced and even savage, particularly during their colonial days.
“‘I should have thought that a pack of British boys…would have been able to put up a better show than that…’”
The Naval Officer, Chapter 12
This line is spoken by the naval officer who rescues the boys at the novel’s ending. He expresses disappointment in their behavior, expecting more from British boys he believes should know better. The officer’s words reflect the shock of an outsider who assumes that civilization is an inherent trait, particularly for British citizens. His comment highlights the theme of lost innocence and the disillusionment that comes with it. The boys, once well-behaved and orderly, have descended into violent savagery, and the officer’s naive remark underscores the novel’s pessimistic view of human nature.
“What are we? Humans? Or animals? Or savages? What’s grownups going to think?”
Piggy, Chapter 5
Piggy says this to Ralph during a meeting. As tensions rise and order among the boys breaks down, Piggy, the most logical and sensible of the group, worries about the boys’ descent into chaos. Ralph, the leader, is struggling to maintain control. Piggy is concerned the boys are losing their humanity and becoming wild. His question, “What’s grownups going to think?” shows his reliance on the rules and structure of adult society, which are absent on the island. The use of rhetorical questions emphasizes his desperation and isolation. He is calling for accountability, but his plea is ignored.
Transformation
“The mask was a thing on its own, behind which Jack hid, liberated from shame and self-consciousness.”
The Narrator, Chapter 4
The boys, notably Jack and his hunters, start to paint their faces. They paint because they see it as paraphernalia of the hunt and war, roles they must step into in their new island life. These masks symbolize the descent into savagery. When this quote states that Jack is being liberated, the insinuation is that he is being freed from the constraints of society. He is effectively becoming a savage and embracing the evil that William Golding suggests is inside all human beings.
“The conch exploded into a thousand white fragments and ceased to exist.“
The Narrator, Chapter 12
At this point in the story, Roger pushes a massive rock off a cliff that lands on and kills Piggy. The conch is crushed with Piggy. There are several points in the novel where you could claim lines are crossed. Still, given the symbolism of the conch, which represents civilization, you can pinpoint the abandonment of civility to this very moment. The conch breaking represents the breakdown of society, and it is a point where there is no return.
“Memory of the dance that none of them had attended shook all four boys convulsively.“
The narrator, Chapter 10
After Ralph, the twins, and Piggy return from participating in the savage dance that leads to Sam’s death, they talk about the event and avoid coming to terms with the role they played in it. In these lines, readers might be reminded of the concept of “groupthink” from Orwell’s groundbreaking novel, “1984.” It is evident here as the boys try to repress their actions. The only child who seems to have been pure is Simon, and all four of the boys played a hand in his death. It does not matter that they were under the impression that Simon was the Beast—they had reverted to their most primal nature.
