The novel “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding is a classic that explores the depths of human nature and the consequences of societal collapse. But why does Ralph cry at the end of the story?
At the end of the story, the protagonist, Ralph, is overcome with emotions and bursts into tears. This emotional outburst in Chapter 12 results from several factors, including the loss of innocence, the realization of the darkness within human beings, and the tragic death of his closest ally, Piggy. In this article, we will delve into the reasons behind Ralph’s tears at the end of the story and examine the themes and symbols at play in the novel. By understanding the motivations behind Ralph’s tears, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the powerful message that Golding conveys in his work.
Why does Ralph cry at the end of the story? (Complete Answer)
The Lord of the Flies, written by William Golding, is a thought-provoking novel that explores the darker aspects of human nature and the consequences of societal collapse. But why does Ralph cry at the end of the story? At the end of the story, the protagonist, Ralph, is overcome with emotion and bursts into tears. This emotional outburst in Chapter 12 results from several factors, including the loss of innocence, the realization of the darkness within human beings, and the tragic death of his closest ally, Piggy.
The loss of innocence is a central theme in Lord of the Flies. At the story’s beginning, Ralph, along with the other boys, are innocent and carefree. However, as the story progresses, they become increasingly savage and lose their moral compass. This transformation is symbolized by the pig’s head on a stick, which was created as an offering to the beast and represented the boys’ descent into savagery. By the end of the story, Ralph is left alone with the memory of his former innocence and the knowledge of the horrors that he and the other boys have committed. This is what causes him to cry for the end of innocence.
In addition to the loss of innocence, Ralph is also overwhelmed by the realization of the darkness within human beings. Throughout the story, the boys prove they are capable of violence and cruelty, even when they are not under any outside influence. This is best symbolized by the killing of Simon, which shows the depths to which the boys have fallen. By the end of the story, Ralph is forced to confront the fact that the evil he witnessed was not just a result of external circumstances but is inherent within human nature. This realization causes him to cry for the darkness of man’s heart.
Finally, Ralph is devastated by the death of his closest ally, Piggy. Piggy is a symbol of wisdom and reason in the novel and serves as Ralph’s moral compass. However, his death at the hands of the other boys represents the final triumph of savagery and the loss of reason. Piggy’s death also represents the loss of Ralph’s last remaining connection to civilization, and it is this loss that causes him to cry for the fall through the air of a true, wise friend.
What did Ralph do at the end of the novel?
At the end of the novel Lord of the Flies, Ralph is being hunted down by Jack and his tribe. He eventually collapses on the beach, exhausted and defenseless. However, at that moment, a naval officer arrives on the island to rescue them. The officer sees how the boys have been living and asks Ralph what has happened. Overwhelmed with emotion, Ralph breaks down in tears as he realizes that he has lost his innocence and that civilization is fragile.
Was Ralph sad when Piggy died?
Yes, Ralph was sad when Piggy died in Lord of the Flies. When he realizes that Piggy is dead, he feels a sense of deep sadness and shock. He is also angry at Jack for his role in Piggy’s death. The loss of Piggy represents the moral decay and destruction that has taken over the boys’ society on the island.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Ralph’s tears at the end of the Lord of the Flies serve as a powerful symbol of the themes and messages that William Golding conveys in his novel. Ralph’s tears are a result of the loss of innocence, the realization of the darkness within human beings, and the fall through the air of his faithful, wise friend Piggy. Through these themes, Golding argues that the potential for evil is within us all and that the breakdown of society can bring out the worst in human nature. Ralph’s tears remind us of the importance of maintaining our moral compass and the dangers of succumbing to the darker aspects of human nature. The Lord of the Flies remains a relevant and thought-provoking novel, and its themes and symbols continue to be studied and discussed by readers worldwide.