Blog 1: Theme

*What is the major theme of this novel? Why is this theme important to a teenager living in 2008?

The major theme of this novel is that anarchy can turn civilized people into savages. The characters of the story happen to be located in an unexpected new environment and fall into anarchy where rules and systems are destroyed. As time passes in that anarchy condition, the characters are no longer civilized. Therefore, the story depicts well on how civilized individuals turn into barbaric savages.

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All children in this novel were innocent and civilized when they arrived in the uninhabited island at the very beginning. However, the only human beings in the island are children. There are no adults or authorities. Even though the children select Ralph as their leader, orders and rules don’t last long but chaos is followed shortly. As the plot progresses, Jack, the antagonist of the story, becomes the main force of savagery. He learns how to hunt for the first time in his life, and he becomes bloodlust and violent. Despite the rules and duties Ralph sets up, Jack is irresponsible and defiant. His greediness and desire for power cause him to rebel and create his own tribe. Ever since a new tribe is made, Ralph is left alone with a very few followers, who are the only ones left to be civilized. Savagery is depicted when everyone is involved in killing Simon. One night, Jack’s tribe has a festival and Simon runs towards them in trying to say that he finds out there is no beast in the forest. Jack shouts out that the beast is coming towards them, and everyone, including Ralph and Piggy, kill Simon. In addition, Piggy dies at one point by a boulder that is thrown by Roger. These two actions are the two main evidence of savagery. They all used to be friends before they live in this anarchy situation. Now, their human relationship and friendship no longer exist and instead they kill each other like beasts without thoughts and conscience. Everyone except Ralph turns into barbarians, who enjoy hunting and killing. Jack’s tribe put the island on fire in order to capture and kill Ralph, the only civilized one left on the island. Luckily, the rescuers arrive right on time, and the Ralph is saved from death.

The theme of the novel is important to a teenager living in 2008 because the savage characters of the novel reflect on certain aspects of teenagers’ life. Every teenagers undergo a phase of puberty, although the severity of symptoms that puberty brings to varies from person to person. Based on my personal experience, puberty is a chaotic time of my life where all the rules and beliefs that I used to and am supposed to think as truth are shaking and I tend to rebel against the existing authority. During that specific time period, teenagers defy to listen to their parents and teachers, and follow their own rules. As a consequence, they sometimes run away from their homes, and even worse, commit bad and unacceptable behaviors. Some examples of bad behaviors are smoking, committing crimes, gambling, and at the extreme case, murdering. The theme of the book delivers a message to teenagers that puberty might be the time where they change, but they should still obey and listen to their parents and authority. The novel clearly shows how teenagers can change negatively if they do not obey or follow according to the rules. From the novel, we can learn that the consequences of outrageous behavior coming from anarchy or savage are so brutal and often irreversible. Therefore, the theme is significant to teenagers who undergo puberty and desire freedom or anarchy away from rules and their parents.