Themes — Civilisation vs Savagery

The conflict between civilisation and savagery is the central theme of Lord of the Flies. Golding's novel explores what happens when the rules, structures, and moral codes of civilised society are stripped away — and argues that savagery is the natural state of humanity. This lesson examines the theme in depth, with key evidence and analysis.

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The Central Argument

Golding's thesis can be stated simply:

Civilisation is a thin veneer. Beneath it, human beings are savage.

The novel tests this thesis by placing a group of well-bred British schoolboys on a deserted island with no adults, no laws, and no institutions. The result is a rapid descent from democratic order into tribal violence, murder, and the near-destruction of the island.

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Symbols of Civilisation

Golding uses a network of symbols to represent civilisation and its gradual destruction:

The Conch