In William Golding’s classic novel “Lord of the Flies,” the struggle for power and the descent into savagery among a group of stranded schoolboys ultimately leads to Piggy’s death. So who kills Piggy in Lord of the Flies?
One of the book’s most shocking moments is the death of Piggy, a character who symbolizes reason and civilization, at the hands of another boy named Roger. Piggy’s death in Chapter 11 is a pivotal moment in the story, as it marks a significant turning point in the boys’ descent into chaos and violence. In this article, we will explore the circumstances surrounding Piggy’s death and examine the motivations behind Roger’s actions.
Who kills Piggy LOTF? (Complete Answer)
In the Lord of the Flies, the character Piggy serves as a symbol of civilization and reason in a group of young boys stranded on an uninhabited island. However, his tragic death at the hands of Roger marks a significant turning point in the boys’ descent into savagery.
Piggy’s death in Chapter 11 occurs during a confrontation between him and the other boys, who have become increasingly violent and chaotic. Holding the conch, a symbol of order and authority, Piggy attempts to speak out against the boys’ savagery and remind them of the importance of civilization. However, his speech is interrupted by Roger, who releases a massive boulder in Piggy’s direction.
The boulder hits Piggy, knocking him off the cliff and onto the rocks below, killing him instantly. The boys’ reaction to Piggy’s death is mixed, with some expressing regret and remorse, while others continue to revel in their violent and destructive behavior.
Roger’s actions leading to Piggy’s death are rooted in his own descent into savagery. Throughout the novel, Roger is depicted as a violent and cruel character, enjoying inflicting pain on others. His decision to throw the boulder at Piggy represents the culmination of his transformation into a savage, willing to do whatever it takes to assert his power over others.
Piggy’s death represents a significant loss for the boys, not just in terms of a character they have come to know but also in terms of the loss of reason and civilization. Without Piggy to remind them of the importance of order and authority, the boys continue down a path of violence and destruction, leading to even more tragic consequences.
Why did Roger kill Piggy?
Roger killed Piggy in Lord of the Flies because he had become accustomed to using violence to achieve his desires. When Ralph and Piggy attempt to confront Jack’s tribe, Roger unleashes a boulder that causes Piggy to fall to his death. Roger had become so desensitized to violence that he no longer recognized the gravity of his actions. He was willing to act out his aggression towards other characters who threatened his power, and Piggy’s death served as a representation of just how far the characters had fallen into chaos and barbarity.
Did Roger purposely kill Piggy?
Yes, Roger purposely kills Piggy in the book Lord of the Flies. As the story progresses and the boys become increasingly savage, Roger becomes more and more brutal. He starts enjoying the feeling of power he gets from hurting others. When he sees that Piggy is about to break a conch shell, a symbol of power and order on the island, he releases a boulder from a cliff above, crushing Piggy to death. This act marks the ultimate downfall of the boys’ society and portrays the inherent evil in human nature.
Is Jack responsible for Piggy’s death?
Yes, Jack is indirectly responsible for Piggy’s death in the book Lord of the Flies. After establishing his own tribe on the island, Jack’s group becomes increasingly violent and brutal, and they start hunting Ralph, Piggy, and the remaining members of Ralph’s tribe. Piggy is killed when he is struck by a large rock flung by Roger, who is a member of Jack’s tribe. Jack had created an environment of violence and savagery that enabled his followers to be cruel and behave recklessly. Additionally, Jack’s tribe members are the ones who destroyed the conch, which represents order and civilization, and Piggy’s glasses, which signify their only means of starting a fire. So while Jack did not directly kill Piggy, his leadership style and the culture he created among his followers made Piggy’s death possible.
What are Piggy’s last words?
Piggy’s last words are: “Which is better, law and rescue, or hunting and breaking things up?” Piggy says this line just before Roger brutally kills him with a boulder. His last words suggest that he believes in the importance of civilization, rules, and order, and he wants to remind the boys of the importance of following those values.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Roger kills Piggy in Lord of the Flies, marking a significant turning point in the novel’s exploration of the struggle between civilization and savagery. Piggy’s death serves as a reminder of the importance of order and authority, and the dangers of unchecked violence and chaos.