Lord of the Flies by Golding: From Civilized to Savage

By using Roger’s transformation from a civilized person to a savage in the novel Lord of the Flies, Golding proves his belief that evil is built in to humans. Ralph uses the conch to gather everyone on the island together. Immediately, the question of authority arises. “The dark boy, Roger, stirred at last and spoke up. ‘Let’s have a vote’ ‘Yes!’ ‘Vote for chief!’” (Golding 22). On the first day of the plane crash, Roger is the first person to come up with the idea to vote for chief.

This act leads to the formation of a democratic government within the group that contributes to a peaceful and society. However, this idea comes to Roger only because he comes from a civilized environment in which order and peace is constantly emphasized. Overtime, however, Roger drastically changes from a civilized human being to a ruthless and violent savage due to the lack of adults and the influence of Jack.

After Jack and his hunters ambush Ralph’s civilization and steal Piggy’s glasses, Ralph and Piggy march into Jack’s tribe to get them back.

After a long debate between Jack and Ralph, Roger, all of a sudden, decides to ruthlessly kill Piggy. “…Roger, with a sense of delirious abandonment, leaned all his weight on the lever…the rock struck Piggy…Piggy fell forty feet on his back…” (Golding 180-181). The difference between Roger on the first day and Roger a couple months later is immense. In the beginning, Roger is a civilized person who wants to vote for chief but now, he is the definition of savage, fierce, violent, and uncontrolled.

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This fierceness and uncontrollable feelings that overtakes his body compels him to kill Piggy even though he had no valid reason to do so. This enormous change effectively proves that even though Roger starts off as a benevolent and urbane human being, the island, lack of adults, and Jack’s influence stimulates the evil that is within him.