In the beginning, the boys all believed in following the rules that they had set, and that finishing all the daily chores was necessary for their survival. During this time, …show more content…
Civilization still had a grip on him because there was an area around Henry that Roger “dare not throw” (Golding 65). Roger describes it as a barrier of adults and the law, that keep the stones from touching Henry. As the book progresses, and the rules have faded, Roger, can no longer see the barricade between civilization and savagery, and does not hesitate to pull the lever, ending Piggy’s life. Rules protected Henry from harm, but when they no longer exist, there is nothing to protect the other boys from themselves. The boys do not just resort to killing to appease their savage side, they use random acts of violence to solve their problems. This is shown when Jack and his followers need fire to cook their meat. Instead of asking, they storm Ralph 's camp, assault the boys, and steal Piggy 's glasses, and therefore, his vision. Through Ralph told the savages “we’d have given you fire if you’d asked for it”, Jack and his tribe members felt no remorse, and even defended themselves against the accusation of being called a thief, with fighting. Rules suppress our savage nature. When there is nothing keeping those feelings at bay, we use violence, like Roger did, without consequence. The boys violent actions on the island show us the need that humans have for …show more content…
The conch is the first rule created on the island, only allowing one to speak if they are holding it. The conch was a symbol everyone respected in the beginning. Even Jack, who later dismisses the conch and its importance, understood. He proves this when he “laid the conch with great care in the grass at his feet”, even though he was upset and humiliated over the fact no one had re-voted him chief instead of Ralph (Golding 140). When the boys all begin to dismiss the conch, and rules, Ralph refuses to blow the conch because “if i blow the conch and they don’t come back; then we 've had it” (Golding 99). Ralph recognizes that the conch is losing it’s meaning, and does not want to forfeit what he has left of his control over the boys. When Jack and his tribe separate from Ralph 's tribe there is no conch, or any other symbol, to establish rules and let each boy voice their own thoughts. This allows for Jack to take control, and make all the decisions himself. With no communication between the boys, Jack sees no sense in sharing the reasons for his decisions, resulting in the boys having to mindlessly accept the punishments, such as the one forced on Wilfred. In the end, the conch is shattered, taking all rules and civilization with it. With no conch, there was nothing in the way of Jack claiming the chief