Who survives in Lord of the Flies? William Golding’s Lord of the Flies is a haunting and thought-provoking novel about a group of British schoolboys stranded on a deserted island and forced to fend for themselves. As the boys struggle to survive, they descend into savagery and tribalism, revealing the darker aspects of human nature. The novel is a powerful exploration of the human psyche and the struggle between civilization and primal instincts. However, one question often arises: Who survives in Lord of the Flies? This article will delve into the characters’ fates and examine who makes it off the island alive. We will analyze the novel’s themes and consider the implications of the events on the island for the characters’ fates. By exploring this question, we hope to gain a deeper understanding of the novel and its enduring impact on readers.
Who survives in Lord of the Flies? (Answer)
William Golding’s Lord of the Flies is a powerful novel exploring human nature’s darkest aspects. The book tells the story of a group of British schoolboys stranded on a deserted island who must fend for themselves. As they struggle to survive, the boys’ behavior becomes increasingly savage and tribal, revealing human nature’s inherent violence and cruelty. The question of who survives in Lord of the Flies is often asked. In this article, we will examine the characters’ fates and analyze what their survival, or lack thereof, signifies.
The characters who survive in the novel are Ralph along with the rest of the surviving boys. Ralph is the novel’s protagonist and the voice of reason and civilization on the island. Throughout the story, Ralph tries to maintain order and establish a system of rules and governance to ensure the boys’ survival. Despite facing opposition from other characters, such as Jack and his followers, Ralph remains steadfast in his commitment to civilization and ultimately manages to survive.
On the other hand, the character who does not survive is Piggy, Simon, or the boy with the mulberry colored birthmark. Piggy is Ralph’s closest ally on the island and represents the intellectual and rational side of humanity. He wears glasses, which he uses to start fires, and is often the voice of reason. However, Piggy’s rationality and intelligence make him a target for the other boys’ cruelty. He is ultimately killed by one of Jack’s followers, Roger.
The fates of Ralph and Piggy represent the novel’s central themes of civilization versus savagery and the struggle between reason and primal instincts. Ralph’s survival represents the triumph of civilization and the importance of maintaining order and governance. In contrast, Piggy’s death represents the triumph of savagery and the loss of reason and rationality.
It is also worth noting that while Ralph and Piggy are the novel’s most prominent characters, other characters also survive. These characters include Sam and Eric, also known as the “twins,” who remain loyal to Ralph and are rescued alongside him. Other characters, such as Simon, are killed on the island. Their deaths are a stark reminder of the novel’s central message about the dangers of giving in to our primal instincts.
Who has Jack killed in Lord of the Flies?
In Lord of the Flies, Jack is responsible for the deaths of two characters. The first is Simon, a shy and introspective member of the group. In a moment of frenzy during a tribal dance, Jack and his followers mistake Simon for the “beast” and brutally murder him on the beach.
The second character Jack kills is Piggy, who represents reason and intellect within the group. In a power struggle between Ralph and Jack, Piggy tries to intervene using logic and reason. However, Jack becomes enraged by Piggy’s attempts to maintain order and control, leading him to push a large rock off a cliff that directly hits Piggy, killing him instantly. These killings demonstrate Jack’s descent into savagery and his willingness to eliminate anyone who opposes or challenges his authority.
Does Simon survive Lord of the Flies?
No, Simon does not survive Lord of the Flies. In the novel, he is depicted as a kind, gentle character with an innate goodness. Towards the end of the story, when the boys have descended into savagery and chaos, Simon has a hallucinatory encounter with the severed pig’s head on a stick, also known as “The Lord of the Flies.” During this encounter, Simon realizes that the true beast resides within themselves and not in any external form. When he tries to share this revelation with the other boys, they mistake him for the beast and brutally murder him in a frenzied state during one of their wild dances. Therefore, Simon’s journey ends tragically, highlighting how his innocence and wisdom ultimately cannot prevail against human nature’s darker instincts.
How many of the boys died in Lord of the Flies?
In Lord of the Flies, three boys die throughout the course of the story. The first boy to die is the little boy with a mulberry colored birthmark, who the group of boys kills while they are in a frenzy during a hunting ritual. Later on, Simon is mistaken for the beast and brutally murdered by the other boys during a chaotic dance. Lastly, Piggy is tragically killed when Roger pushes a boulder toward Piggy, which hits him and causes him to fall to his death on the rocks below. Overall, three boys die in the novel as a result of violence and fear that consumes them on the deserted island.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the question of who survives in Lord of the Flies has significant implications for the novel’s themes and messages. Ralph’s survival represents the triumph of civilization and the importance of maintaining order and governance. In contrast, Piggy’s death represents the triumph of savagery and the loss of reason and rationality. The fates of these characters and others in the novel serve as a powerful reminder of human nature’s inherent violence and cruelty and the importance of maintaining order and civilization in the face of these instincts.