In William Golding’s novel “Lord of the Flies,” Piggy’s death in Chapter 11 is a pivotal moment. The circumstances surrounding his demise are a matter of debate, and the question remains: was Piggy murdered in Lord of the Flies?
Piggy, one of the main characters, is known for his intelligence and rational thinking. On the other hand, Roger is portrayed as the character least able to understand the civilizing impulse, with a savage and violent nature. In the novel’s climax, Roger rolls a boulder down the hill, crushing the conch shell and killing Piggy. This event raises the question of whether Piggy’s death was a deliberate murder or an unfortunate accident. This article will explore the different perspectives on this issue and uncover the truth behind Piggy’s demise.
Was Piggy murdered in Lord of the Flies? (Complete Answer)
The circumstances surrounding Piggy’s death in the Lord of the Flies are a matter of debate. The question remains: was Piggy murdered?
To answer this question, we must examine the events leading up to Piggy’s death. Throughout the novel, Piggy is portrayed as a rational, intelligent, and level-headed character. He is often at odds with the group’s more impulsive and violent members, notably Jack and his followers. Piggy’s intelligence and rationality are symbolized by his glasses and the conch shell, which he discovers and uses to maintain order and civilization on the island.
Roger, on the other hand, is portrayed as the character least able to understand the civilizing impulse. He is depicted as cruel and sadistic, with a penchant for violence. Throughout the novel, he is shown to be one of Jack’s most loyal followers and participates in the group’s descent into savagery.
In the novel’s climactic scene, Jack and his followers hunt Ralph, the protagonist, through the jungle. They plan to kill him and offer his head as a sacrifice to the “beast” that they believe inhabits the island. Piggy and Ralph confront the group to reason with them but are met with hostility and violence.
At this point, Roger rolls a boulder down the hill, crushing the conch shell and killing Piggy. The scene is described in brutal detail, and it is clear that Roger intended to kill Piggy. The fact that he destroyed the conch shell, which symbolizes order and civilization, further emphasizes the violent and savage nature of the act.
Given the circumstances of Piggy’s death, it is clear that he was murdered. Roger’s actions were intentional and driven by a desire for violence and domination. The fact that he targeted Piggy, the character least able to understand the savage impulse, suggests that the act was motivated by a desire to eliminate any remaining traces of civilization and order on the island.
Why was Piggy killed in Lord of the Flies?
Piggy was killed in Lord of the Flies because he was perceived as a threat and nuisance by Jack and his tribe. Jack’s group had become increasingly hostile towards Ralph’s group and held a strong resentment towards Piggy, who was one of Ralph’s closest allies. When Piggy tries to reason with Jack and his group and demands that they return his stolen glasses, Roger, one of Jack’s followers, throws a boulder at Piggy, causing him to fall off a cliff to his death. This act of violence symbolizes the loss of reason, civilization, and order on the island. It underscores the overarching theme of the novel, i.e., how easily human beings can descend into savagery when left to their own devices without any governing authority.
When was Piggy killed in Lord of the Flies?
In Chapter 11 of Lord of the Flies, Piggy was killed when Roger pushes a large rock off a cliff, striking Piggy and killing him instantly.
Was Piggy’s death an accident?
Piggy’s death in Lord of the Flies was not entirely accidental. Roger deliberately pushed a large boulder off a cliff, which struck Piggy, causing his death. This act of violence reflected the growing brutality and lack of conscience among the boys on the island. Although Roger may not have intended to kill Piggy, his willingness to use extreme force reveals the dangerous and primitive nature that the boys had adopted while living on the island.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the death of Piggy in “Lord of the Flies” was a deliberate and calculated act of violence. The circumstances surrounding his demise highlight the novel’s central theme of the conflict between civilization and savagery. By killing Piggy, Roger and the other boys demonstrate the ultimate triumph of savagery over civilization.