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Essay / Lord of the Flies Dialectical Diary: The Battle Between Civilization and Savagery
In William Golding's iconic novel, Lord of the Flies, the characters are stranded on a desert island and their struggle for survival reveals the inherent tension between civilization and savagery. The diary's dialectical notes shed light on this battle, revealing the characters' descent into darkness and their struggle to maintain order. This essay will explore the themes of civilization and savagery as depicted in Lord of the Flies, examining how the dialectical journal entries highlight this ongoing conflict. The dialectical journal entries in Lord of the Flies demonstrate the gradual erosion of civilization on the island. As the boys struggle to establish a functioning society, their first attempts at order and organization give way to chaos. For example, in entry 1, Ralph, the elected leader, attempts to instill a sense of responsibility in the boys by stating, “We must have rules and follow them. " However, as time passes, the boys become more and more unruly, as shown in entry 2 when Jack, the antagonist, states, "We're going hunting and having fun. » These entries highlight the boys' descent into savagery and loss of their civilized values. The dialectical diary entries also reveal the emergence of savagery in the boys. As they succumb to their primal instincts, their actions become increasingly violent and cruel. Entry 3 describes the boys' transformation, with Simon noting, "Maybe there's a beast...maybe it's just us." This realization highlights their shift from viewing the beast as an external threat to recognizing it as a manifestation of their own inner darkness. Entry 4 further emphasizes this change, as Jack exclaims: "Kill the pig! Cut its throat! Spill its blood!" These entries demonstrate the boys' descent into savagery and their abandonment of their civilized selves. The dialectical diary entries also highlight the conflict between Ralph, who represents civilization, and Jack, who embodies savagery. Entry 5 reveals Ralph's desperation to maintain order, as he cries, "What are we?" Humans? Or animals? Or savages? This plea highlights his struggle to preserve their civilized nature amidst growing chaos. In contrast, entry 6 highlights Jack's lust for power, as he states: "We will only survive if we hunt and kill." » These entries illustrate the clash between the two characters and their opposing ideologies. The dialectical journal entries demonstrate the devastating consequences of succumbing to savagery. Entry 7 reveals the boys' loss of morality, as they brutally murder Simon, mistaking him for the beast. Entry 8 further illustrates the destructive nature of their actions, with Ralph reflecting, "I'm afraid. Of us." These entries show the boys' awareness of the darkness within themselves and the tragic consequences of their descent into savagery. In conclusion, Lord of the Flies, as depicted through his dialectical journal entries, explores the eternal battle between civilization and savagery. The loss of civilization, the emergence of savagery, the conflict between Ralph and Jack, and the consequences of madness are all highlighted in these entries. Through the characters' experiences on the desert island, Golding masterfully depicts the fragility of civilization and the darkness inherent in human nature. This novel serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of maintaining order and the consequences of allowing our, 1954.