How is Piggy killed and whose responsibility is it? William Golding’s classic novel “Lord of the Flies” explores the themes of civilization and savagery through the experiences of a group of British boys stranded on a deserted island. As the young boys struggle to survive and establish order, tensions rise, and their true natures begin to emerge. One of the novel’s most memorable and tragic events is the death of Piggy, a character who represents reason and intelligence. In this article, we will examine how Piggy is killed and determine whose responsibility it is.
It is clear that Roger, the character least able to understand the civilizing impulse, is responsible for the act of violence that kills Piggy. By pushing the boulder down the hill that crushes the conch shell and strikes Piggy, Roger unleashes the full force of his savage impulses, leading to a tragic and senseless loss of life. However, the question of responsibility goes beyond the individual actions of Roger. Piggy’s death raises broader questions about the nature of humanity and the role of society in restraining our darker impulses.
How is Piggy killed and whose responsibility is it? (Complete Answer)
In William Golding’s novel Lord of the Flies, the death of Piggy is a pivotal moment that marks a turning point in the boys’ descent from a civilized group to utter savagery. Piggy, a character who represents reason and intelligence, is killed by Roger, the character least able to understand the civilizing impulse. This article will explore how Piggy is killed and whose responsibility it is.
The events leading up to Piggy’s death begin with the breakdown of order on the previously uninhabited island. The boys, having been stranded without adult supervision, are left to fend for themselves and establish their own social order. Initially, they attempt to maintain some semblance of civilization, electing Ralph as their leader and establishing rules and systems for communication. However, as time passes and the boys become more isolated, their underlying instincts for violence and domination surface when Jack competes for leadership.
Roger, in particular, is shown to be a character who revels in destruction and violence. He is described as “bent double” with “savage enthusiasm” as he prepares to throw rocks at a target. This description foreshadows his ultimate act of violence, in which he destroys the conch shell – a symbol of order and civilization – and kills Piggy when he pushes the boulder down the hill.
Piggy, in contrast, is a character who embodies the rationality and order that the boys are struggling to maintain. He constantly reminds the other boys of the need for rules and structure, and uses his glasses to start fires and signal for help. Despite his importance to the group, he is marginalized and ridiculed by the other boys, who view him as weak and ineffectual.
When Roger crushes the conch shell and kills Piggy, it symbolizes the complete breakdown of order and civilization on the isolated island. It is clear that Roger, with his lack of understanding of the civilizing impulse, is responsible for the evil act of violence that kills Piggy. However, the question of responsibility goes beyond Roger’s actions. Piggy’s death raises broader questions about the nature of humanity and the role of society in restraining our darker impulses.
Why did Roger kill Piggy?
Roger kills Piggy in Lord of the Flies because he is under the influence of Jack, who has become increasingly savage and violent. Roger intentionally pushes a rock off the top of the cliff where Piggy is standing, resulting in his death. This act symbolizes the complete breakdown of civilization and order on the island. It shows how power and savagery can lead to senseless violence.
Did Roger kill Piggy on purpose?
Yes, Roger kills Piggy intentionally in Lord of the Flies. He purposely releases a boulder from the top of the mountain while Piggy is speaking because he feels empowered by the chaos and savagery that has taken hold of the boys on the island.
How does Piggy die?
Piggy is killed when Roger, one of the boys from the rival tribe, releases a boulder from above and it strikes Piggy in the head, causing him to fall to his death. Piggy’s death occurs in Chapter 11 during a confrontation between Ralph’s and Jack’s group.
What happens to the conch?
Near the end of Lord of the Flies, the conch is destroyed when Roger pushes a boulder down onto Piggy, who is holding the conch, killing Piggy and crushing the conch. This event marks the complete loss of order and civilization on the island. When the conch is destroyed, Ralph loses all authority he had as leader and chaos reigns supreme among the boys. The destruction of the conch, therefore, represents the collapse of society and order among these young boys who were stranded on an island without any adult supervision or authority to guide them.
What does Piggy’s death symbolize?
Piggy’s death in Lord of the Flies symbolizes several things. Firstly, it marks the end of Ralph’s fragile troop on the island. Piggy represented logic, reason, and civilization among the group of stranded boys. When he died, these values disappeared with him.
Secondly, Piggy’s death signifies a victory by the forces of violence and brutality over the forces of wisdom, kindness, and civility. The violent overthrow of Piggy represents an attack on knowledge and reason by brute force. This underscores the book’s central theme that violence is ultimately more powerful than intellect.
In summary, Piggy’s death symbolizes a loss of intellectual and civil values as well as a triumph for violent and brutal behavior.
How does Jack react to Piggy’s death?
After Piggy is killed, Jack does not react emotionally to his death. Instead, he shows no remorse and appears indifferent to the loss of life on the island. Jack views Piggy’s death as just another obstacle in his path to dominance and power over the other boys. He sees Piggy’s death as a way to eliminate anyone who might stand in the way of his authority and control over the rest of the group. Ultimately, Jack’s lack of empathy and disregard for human life illustrates his descent into savagery and highlights one of the central themes in Lord of the Flies – that civilization is fragile and easily destroyed by our most basic instincts.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the death of Piggy in Lord of the Flies is a tragic and symbolic moment that illustrates the dangers of unchecked violence and the importance of maintaining order and civilization. While Roger is the individual responsible for the act of violence, the larger responsibility lies with the collective failure of the boys to maintain a functioning society. Golding’s novel warns about the fragility of civilization and the constant struggle to resist our primal instincts.