Why does Ralph cry at the end? As one of the most iconic and analyzed literary works of the 20th century, William Golding’s “Lord of the Flies” has remained a staple in classrooms and literary discussions since its publication in 1954. The novel explores the inherent darkness of human nature and its implications when society’s constraints are removed. The novel’s ending is particularly poignant, leaving readers with a profound sense of loss and despair. One of the most striking moments at the end is when Ralph, the protagonist, cries. Why does he cry? What do his tears signify?
Why does Ralph cry at the end? (Answer)
At the end of the novel, Ralph weeping is a powerful moment that encapsulates the themes and ideas that Golding has been developing throughout the story. Ralph’s tears are not just a result of his physical exhaustion or the trauma he has suffered throughout the novel; they are a manifestation of his profound grief and despair at the loss of innocence and the darkness he has witnessed in his fellow human beings.
Firstly, Ralph weeps for the end of innocence. Throughout the novel, Ralph represents the voice of reason and civility. He is the one who tries to establish rules and order on the island, and he is deeply committed to the idea of fairness and democracy. However, as the novel progresses, Ralph realizes that the boys’ savage behavior is not just a result of their circumstances but is a reflection of their true nature. In the novel’s final moments, when the boys are rescued, Ralph weeps over the loss of innocence he has witnessed. He realizes that he can never go back to the world he knew before, that the world he inhabited was just a facade, and that the true nature of humanity is far darker and more brutal than he ever imagined.
Furthermore, Ralph cries for the darkness of man’s heart. In the novel, the boys’ descent into savagery is not just a result of their isolation and lack of adult supervision. Instead, it is a reflection of the inherent darkness that lies within all human beings. The novel suggests that when individuals are removed from the constraints of society, their true nature is revealed, and it is often ugly and brutal. Ralph’s tears, therefore, represent his deep despair and horror at the darkness of human nature that he has witnessed.
Finally, Ralph cries for the fall through the air of a true, wise friend called Piggy. Piggy is one of Ralph’s closest companions on the island. He is intelligent, thoughtful, and wise. However, despite his best efforts, he is killed by the other boys, who have descended into savagery. Ralph’s tears, therefore, represent his profound grief at the loss of his friend and the realization that the boys are capable of such unspeakable violence.
What did Ralph do at the end of the novel?
At the end of the novel Lord of the Flies, Ralph, after a harrowing pursuit by Jack’s hunters, finds himself standing in front of the menacing figure known as the Lord of the Flies. In a moment of desperation and defiance, Ralph casts the grotesque manifestation to the ground and seizes the stake it is impaled on. With this makeshift weapon in hand, he bravely faces off against Jack’s ruthless hunters who are closing in on him. This act reflects Ralph’s determination to protect himself from their savagery and symbolizes his refusal to succumb to their violent ways.
How is Ralph at the end of Lord of the Flies?
At the end of Lord of the Flies, Ralph is in a state of extreme distress and danger. He finds himself being hunted down by the other boys on the island, who have descended into savagery and abandoned all semblance of civilization. Ralph’s survival is ultimately due to a stroke of good fortune when a naval officer arrives on the island just in time to rescue him from certain death. Despite facing immense challenges and witnessing the darkest sides of human nature, Ralph manages to hold onto his sense of morality and reason throughout his ordeal.
Why does Ralph cry for Piggy and not Simon?
Ralph cries for Piggy and not Simon because Piggy’s death is more symbolic of the boys’ loss of innocence than Simon’s. Piggy represents reason, intellect, and civilization throughout the novel, while Simon embodies spirituality and goodness. When Roger kills Piggy, it symbolizes the complete destruction of rationality and societal order on the island. His death signifies the boys’ descent into savagery and rejection of moral values. On the other hand, Simon’s demise results from mistaken identity and the boys’ collective frenzy during a violent storm. Although tragic, Simon’s death does not carry the same symbolic weight as Piggy’s in terms of illustrating the loss of innocence that Ralph mourns.
Do you think that this is a fitting end to the novel?
Yes, I believe that the ending of Lord of the Flies is fitting for the novel. The gradual descent into savagery and chaos throughout the story reaches its climax when Simon, the embodiment of goodness and reason, is brutally murdered by the other boys in a frenzy of fear and hysteria. This act symbolizes the complete breakdown of civilization and morality on the island. The subsequent confrontation between Ralph and Jack further emphasizes this theme, as they represent opposing forces – order and anarchy. The arrival of the naval officer at this point acts as a harsh reminder of the external world’s authority and serves as a stark contrast to the boys’ internal struggle for power. Ultimately, this ending leaves readers uneasy, forcing them to confront humanity’s inherent capacity for darkness and violence even in seemingly civilized societies.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Ralph’s tears at the end of the novel are a powerful moment that encapsulates the themes and ideas that Golding has been developing throughout the story. Ralph weeps for the end of innocence, the darkness of man’s heart, and the death of his true, wise friend named Piggy. His tears represent his profound grief and despair at the loss of the world he knew and his realization that the true nature of humanity is far darker and more brutal than he ever imagined. Ralph’s tears, therefore, serve as a poignant reminder of the fragility of human civilization and the darkness that lies within us all.