How does Roger change in Lord of the Flies? In William Golding’s Lord of the Flies, Roger is a character whose transformation is both dramatic and unsettling. While he starts off as a quiet and intense older boy, his true nature slowly comes to the surface as the boys’ society breaks down. This article will explore how Roger changes throughout the novel and what his character reveals about human nature when rules and order disappear.
How does Roger change in Lord of the Flies?
Roger’s transformation in Lord of the Flies is one of the most striking examples of how the lack of society and rules can bring out a person’s darkest impulses. When Roger is first introduced, he is described as “a slight, furtive boy whom no one knew, who kept to himself with an inner intensity of avoidance and secrecy.” He is quiet and somewhat mysterious, staying on the edges of group activities.
However, as the boys’ connection to civilization weakens, Roger’s violent tendencies start to emerge. A turning point comes when he throws stones at the littlun Henry, but deliberately aims to miss:
“Roger gathered a handful of stones and began to throw them. Yet there was a space round Henry… into which he dare not throw. Here, invisible yet strong, was the taboo of the old life.”
This scene shows that at first, Roger is still restrained by the rules he remembers from his previous life. But as those rules fade on the island, so do his inhibitions.
By the end of the novel, Roger becomes one of the most sadistic characters. He sharpens a stick “at both ends” and is directly responsible for Piggy’s death when he releases a huge rock onto him:
“Roger, with a sense of delirious abandonment, leaned all his weight on the lever…”
Roger’s evolution from a quiet boy to a brutal enforcer highlights Golding’s message about how quickly humanity’s darker side can take over without society’s restraints.
What cruel actions does Roger commit?
Roger commits several cruel actions in Lord of the Flies. He:
- Throws rocks at Henry to intimidate him
- Destroys the littluns’ sandcastles
- Sharpens a stick at both ends as a threat
- Tortures Sam and Eric to force them to join Jack’s tribe
- Pushes the boulder that kills Piggy
What does Roger represent symbolically?
Roger symbolically represents pure evil in Lord of the Flies. His actions show the darkest side of human nature when there are no rules or consequences.
How do others see Roger in Lord of the Flies?
In Lord of the Flies, other boys see Roger as quiet, intense, and somewhat mysterious at first. As the story goes on and his violent side emerges, they begin to fear him because of his cruelty and unpredictable behavior.
What does Roger’s increasing violence throughout the novel suggest about the nature of unchecked power?
Roger’s increasing violence throughout the novel suggests that unchecked power can lead to destruction and cruelty. His actions show that power can get out of control without rules, and that people can have a dark side.
Conclusion
In conclusion, To sum up, Roger changes a lot throughout Lord of the Flies. He starts as a quiet and intense boy but eventually becomes a sadistic and brutal terrorist. Roger’s transformation shows how easily cruelty can emerge when society’s rules disappear.