Rising Action Lord Of The Flies

The Rising Action of Lord of the Flies: A Descent into Savagery

William Golding's Lord of the Flies is a chilling exploration of human nature, demonstrating how easily civilization can crumble and savagery can take hold. While the novel’s climax and resolution are undeniably impactful, it's the rising action that truly lays the groundwork for the boys' catastrophic downfall. This phase, spanning the majority of the book, meticulously builds tension and suspense, gradually revealing the inherent flaws within the boys and the destructive power of their primal instincts. This article will delve deep into the rising action of Lord of the Flies, analyzing its key events and their contribution to the escalating chaos.

The Initial Spark of Hope and the First Cracks of Order

The initial chapters establish a fragile hope. The boys, survivors of a plane crash, find themselves on a seemingly idyllic tropical island. Ralph, elected leader, embodies an attempt to establish a civilized society. Piggy, the intellectual voice of reason, provides a counterpoint to Ralph's more charismatic leadership. They initiate a system of rules, build shelters, and attempt to signal for rescue. This represents the peak of their initial attempt at maintaining order – a brief, shining moment before the darkness sets in.

The Seeds of Discord: Jack's Growing Influence

However, even in this nascent civilization, the seeds of discord are sown. Jack, a charismatic choirboy, represents the allure of primal instincts. His inherent aggression and desire for power become increasingly evident. His hunting prowess and the thrill of the chase appeal to the boys' more base desires, subtly undermining Ralph's authority. His hunting group, initially intended to provide food, gradually becomes a separate, competing force.

The hunt, initially a necessary task for survival, quickly transcends its purpose. It becomes a ritual, a display of dominance and control. The hunt itself represents a crucial turning point. The initial success fuels Jack's ego and encourages the other boys to abandon Ralph's rational approach in favour of Jack's more primal and exciting methods. This marks a significant step in the rising action, showcasing the gradual shift away from civilization.

The Loss of Innocence and the Embrace of Fear

The escalating fear of the "beast" acts as a powerful catalyst. The boys' initial anxieties about the unknown morph into a palpable terror, fueled by Piggy's rational explanations and Jack's exploitation of this fear. This fear is not merely a physical threat from a tangible beast but rather a manifestation of the inherent fears and anxieties within the boys themselves – fears of loneliness, vulnerability and the unknown.

The Piggy-Ralph Dynamic: A Study in Contrasts

The relationship between Ralph and Piggy is particularly crucial during the rising action. Ralph's desire for order clashes with Jack's seductive power. Piggy, with his intellect and emphasis on reason, represents the last vestiges of civilized thought. He repeatedly attempts to ground the boys in reality and reason, only to be met with increasing ridicule and disregard. Piggy's glasses, symbolic of intellect and vision, are repeatedly threatened and eventually destroyed. This mirrors the systematic dismantling of reason and civility. His vulnerability underlines the cruelty and brutality that emerge as the boys regress into savagery.

The Descent into Savagery: Ritual and Violence

The climax of the rising action is reached when the boys fully succumb to savagery. The systematic destruction of order manifests in several key events:

• The Murder of Piggy: The death of Piggy is a pivotal moment in the rising action. It marks a point of no return, symbolizing the complete eradication of reason and intellect. It’s a brutal act of violence, committed by Jack's tribe in a frenzied moment of savagery. The boys are now irrevocably lost to the primal impulses driving them.

• The Transformation of Simon: Simon's encounter with the "Lord of the Flies" foreshadows the ultimate descent into savagery. Simon's understanding of the beast as an inherent evil within humanity contrasts with the boys’ fear of an external threat. His murder is a shocking depiction of how quickly fear can breed violence and brutality, highlighting the escalating chaos and the boys’ descent into bloodlust.

• The Loss of Hope and Reason: As the boys increasingly abandon any semblance of civilization, hope dwindles. The initial attempts at rescue become increasingly futile as they become consumed by their primal urges. Their attempts to build shelters and maintain fires become sporadic and disorganized, further highlighting their growing descent into savagery.

The Power of Symbolism in the Rising Action

Golding masterfully employs symbolism to illustrate the rising action. The conch shell, initially representing order and democracy, is progressively broken and disregarded, mirroring the erosion of civilization. The fire, initially a symbol of hope and rescue, is neglected and eventually used destructively, reflecting the boys' misplaced priorities and their capacity for self-destruction. The island itself, initially perceived as paradise, gradually becomes a site of violence and brutality, reflecting the boys’ inner turmoil.

The Climax Looms: A State of Anarchy

The rising action's culmination sets the stage for the climax. The boys, now fully entrenched in their savage state, have lost their innocence, their reason, and any semblance of a civilized society. Their descent is complete. The meticulously crafted progression of events, the subtle shifts in power, and the devastating symbolism ensure that the climax, although violent, feels inevitable. The carefully built tension makes the final act of the novel both shocking and deeply disturbing, reflecting the potential for human depravity when civilization falters. The horrifying acts of violence and the loss of innocence are not arbitrary events; they are the logical culmination of the rising action's carefully orchestrated descent into savagery.

Conclusion: A Testament to Human Nature

The rising action of Lord of the Flies is a meticulously crafted masterpiece of suspense and foreshadowing. It's not just a sequence of events, but a carefully constructed tapestry of human behavior under pressure, revealing the fragility of civilization and the potent power of primal instincts. By analyzing the rising action, we gain a deeper understanding of the novel's core message: the inherent darkness that lies within humanity and the ease with which it can overcome even the most well-intentioned attempts at order and civilization. The gradual and almost imperceptible shift from hope to despair makes the novel's grim conclusion all the more impactful and unsettling. The rising action of Lord of the Flies remains a potent reminder of the dangers of unchecked power, the allure of savagery, and the importance of reason and civility in maintaining a functioning society.