The main theme that I have identified is that human civility can rapidly diminish without societies that support order and justice. This order is retained by law-abiding adults who are educated. William Golding conveys this theme in three major ways. The first and foremost is the usage of characters. Ralph, Jack, Roger, Simon, and Piggy all have a relationship that supports the theme. In this case, Ralph retains civilizations influence well as well as Piggy who retains his logic and reason. The effect of their parents who were law-abiding adults (educated) apparently stuck to them. Golding attaches these behaviors to Ralph and Piggy for the purpose of contrasting them with Jack and Roger. Jack seems to be the first one that loses his grasp on order and rescue thus contrasting him with Ralph. Roger on the other hand begins to follow the ways of Jack, and in doing so loses his reason thus contrasting him with Piggy.
In the end of the book it is clear that anarchy and disorder eventually gets a hold if rules are not enforced and no adults come into play. The second way Golding conveys the theme is by the different point of views of the characters. William Golding makes sure that Ralph’s point of view is that, the “littluns” very easily get distracted, either by an exciting task mentioned (e.g. making a fire) or to relax and play. This point of view shows already that if kids are left alone they tend to break up unity among themselves. Another example of this would be when Ralph’s original group decreases in size, making Jack’s group outnumber his. This goes to show that Jack’s group (symbolizing chaos and destruction) is what the tendency of most kids are.
Lastly, the author develops the theme with the plot. At first Ralph is able to amass a large group of people to root for him under the word, rescue. Golding shows at first that the group is initially motivated to help in their own rescue. They act with unity, from lighting the fire, to building the first shelter. Almost immediately after these goals have been met, the group slacks off. William Golding makes sure that almost all of Ralph’s original group voluntarily pauses in the rescue effort, and instead focus on Jack hunting a pig with his fellow choirboys. At this point the fire is not cared for which goes out. This shows their unity and loyalty to Ralph (the child who has retained the qualities of a civilized world) begin to waver and diminish near the end of the novel. Golding shows that the willingness to actually be rescued, and maintain order & respect, fades as the novel progresses.
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