What happens at the end of Lord of the Flies? This question has puzzled readers for decades as they navigate through the harrowing journey of a group of boys stranded on a deserted island. In the final pages of William Golding’s classic novel, Ralph, the protagonist, finds himself in a desperate race for survival. Fleeing from both Jack and his pack of savage boys and the looming fire that threatens to consume them all, Ralph sprints through the dense jungle. With each step, fear and despair cling to him like shadows. Yet just as hope seems lost, he breaks free from the suffocating foliage and emerges onto the beach. There, an unexpected encounter awaits him – a British Naval officer who has come ashore after spotting the island in flames from his ship. The ending of Lord of the Flies offers a glimmer of redemption amidst the chaos, leaving readers with profound questions about human nature and civilization’s fragility in their wake.
What happens at the end of Lord of the Flies? (Answer)
What happens at the end of Lord of the Flies? In the final pages of Lord of the Flies by William Golding, Ralph’s desperate escape through the jungle brings him face to face with both his pursuers and a surprising savior. Ralph, who had been serving as the group’s leader, finds himself hunted by Jack and his pack of savage boys. Their descent into savagery has reached its peak, as they have abandoned any semblance of civilization and instead embrace their primal instincts.
As Ralph flees from Jack and his followers, another threat looms over him – a raging fire that Jack had deliberately set on the mountain in an attempt to smoke Ralph out. The flames serve as a physical manifestation of the chaos and destruction that have consumed the once orderly society on the island.
However, amidst this chaos, hope emerges for Ralph in an unexpected form. After running tirelessly through the dense jungle, he finally emerges onto the beach. To his astonishment, he is discovered by a British Naval officer who has come ashore to investigate after spotting the smoke rising from the burning island.
The arrival of this naval officer signifies a return to civilization and order. In contrast to Jack’s tribe of savage boys who have descended into their primal nature without any regard for rules or morality, this officer represents authority and rescue from their isolated existence.
The officer’s appearance highlights two key aspects: first, it emphasizes how far removed these boys have become from civilization during their time on the tropical island; secondly, it serves as a stark reminder that even within supposedly civilized societies violence and savagery can still exist.
The naval officer is left perplexed after seeing Ralph’s disheveled appearance and realizing that these seemingly innocent boys have turned into wild hunters capable of inflicting harm upon one another. He asks them if they were having “a war” or simply “having fun,” highlighting how blurred lines between playfulness and brutality can become when human nature is left unchecked. The naval officer wants to believe that they were playing a game when he says, “Jolly good show, like Coral Island,” he remarks, followed by the inquiry, “You’re all British, aren’t you?” (page 184). The officer can’t accept that a group of British schoolboys has become a pack of savage beasts.
The officer’s presence abruptly halts the escalating violence and restores a semblance of order. As Ralph breaks down in tears, finally releasing the pent-up fear, stress, and trauma that has plagued him throughout their time on the island, the remaining boys on the island are forced to confront the consequences of their actions.
In this final scene, Ralph’s encounter with the naval officer represents a glimmer of hope and a chance for redemption. It serves as a reminder that even in the darkest of circumstances, there is still an opportunity for humanity to prevail over its savage impulses. However, it also raises questions about whether civilization truly eradicates our innate tendencies toward violence or simply masks them beneath societal norms.
Who survives at the end of Lord of the Flies?
At the end of Lord of the Flies, all the boys survive except Piggy, Simon, and the littlun with the mulberry-colored birthmark.
Does Lord of the Flies have a happy ending?
No, Lord of the Flies does not have a happy ending. The novel concludes with the violent and tragic deaths of several characters, symbolizing the complete breakdown of civilization and the triumph of savagery.
What happens to Piggy at the end of Lord of the Flies?
At the end of Lord of the Flies, Piggy is tragically killed when Roger deliberately pushes a huge boulder off the mountainside. The boulder strikes Piggy, shattering the conch shell he is holding and causing him to fall to his death on the rocks below.
What is ironic about the ending of the Lord of the Flies?
The irony in the ending of Lord of the Flies lies in the reversal of expectations. The fire set by Jack, meant to destroy Ralph and his chances of survival, inadvertently becomes the catalyst for his rescue. Additionally, it is the destructive fire that symbolizes the boys’ descent into savagery that ultimately brings civilization back to the island when the officer arrives. The presence of a seemingly “civilized” officer amidst the chaos and brutality further highlights the irony, as it questions the true nature of civilization and its ability to prevent such darkness from emerging in humanity.
What does the ending of the Lord of the Flies mean?
The ending of Lord of the Flies suggests that, despite our desire to believe in the inherent goodness and civilization of humanity, there is a blurred line between civilization and savagery. The boys’ descent into chaos and violence on the island illustrates how easily ordinary individuals can succumb to their primal instincts when removed from the constraints of society. The naval officer’s arrival on the island serves as a reminder that even in supposedly civilized societies, elements of savagery can still exist beneath the surface. Thus, the ending implies that the potential for both good and evil resides within us all, challenging our notions of human nature.
Is Ralph happy at the end of the novel?
No, Ralph is not happy at the end of the novel. Despite being rescued and brought back to civilization, his encounter with the naval officer triggers overwhelming emotions. Ralph weeps for the boys’ end of innocence, the death of his friend Piggy, and his newfound understanding of the true extent of human evil. This suggests that Ralph’s happiness is overshadowed by a deep sense of sorrow and disillusionment.
Conclusion
In conclusion, what happens at the end of William Golding’s Lord of the Flies is both a chilling reflection on human nature and a call to examine our own capacity for darkness. The conclusion leaves readers pondering how easily we can slip into chaos when left unchecked. It reinforces the importance of maintaining an ethical framework within society.