What does Piggy fear in Lord of the Flies? In William Golding’s Lord of the Flies, each character has their own worries and struggles as they try to survive on the island. For Piggy, fear goes beyond just being scared of the dark or some mysterious beast. His concerns run deeper, focusing on what might happen if the boys lose their sense of order and humanity. By looking at what Piggy truly fears, we can better understand his role in the story and the larger message Golding is trying to share about civilization and savagery.
What does Piggy fear in Lord of the Flies?
In Lord of the Flies, Piggy is one of the few characters who truly fears that the boys will lose their sense of order and descend into savagery. From the very beginning, he worries about what could happen without rules and adult supervision. Piggy warns, “What are we? Humans? Or animals? Or savages?” (Chapter 5), showing his anxiety about losing civilized behavior.
Piggy often tries to remind the others about the importance of keeping the fire going and holding meetings. He believes these things help maintain order: “The first thing we ought to have made was shelters down there by the beach… Then when you get here you build a signal fire, why can’t you all behave?” (Chapter 2). His fear isn’t just about physical safety but about what will happen if everyone stops acting with reason and decency.
When chaos starts to take over, Piggy is desperate to hold onto civilization. He says, “Which is better—to be a pack of painted savages like you are, or to be sensible like Ralph is?” (Chapter 11). This shows that Piggy’s greatest fear is not a beast or any outside threat, but the loss of humanity among the boys themselves.
What are the fears in Lord of the Flies?
In Lord of the Flies, the boys experience several different fears as they struggle to survive on the island. Some of their main fears include:
- Fear of the Beast: The boys are terrified of a mysterious creature they think is living on the island.
- Fear of the Dark: Many of them are scared when night falls and the island becomes more frightening.
- Fear of Being Alone: The idea of being abandoned or left out worries many of the boys.
- Fear of Losing Order: Characters like Piggy and Ralph fear what will happen if rules and civilization break down.
- Fear of Each Other: As things get worse, some boys become afraid of what their friends might do.
These fears grow throughout the novel and drive many of the choices and actions that lead to chaos among the group.
What does Jack fear in Lord of the Flies?
In Lord of the Flies, Jack’s biggest fear is not being the leader. He worries about losing control and not having the respect or power he wants over the other boys. Like the others, Jack is also afraid of the beast, but his need to stay in charge and prove himself is what drives most of his actions throughout the story.
What does Piggy represent in Lord of the Flies?
In Lord of the Flies, Piggy represents logic, order, and civilization. He is the one who tries to keep things organized and reminds the boys why rules matter. Piggy believes in science and rational thinking, which shows he represents the civilized world the boys once knew.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Piggy’s main fear in Lord of the Flies is that the boys will stop following rules and turn into savages. Piggy’s concern for civilization and his warnings about becoming “savages” remind us how fragile order can be, especially when it is challenged by fear and chaos.