Lord of the Flies Chapter 4 – The Seeds of Savagery Start to Sprout

What happens when a group of seemingly civilized British schoolboys are stranded on a deserted island? Is their shared education enough to maintain order and civility in the absence of adult authority? In William Golding’s Lord of the Flies, Chapter 4, titled “The Painted Faces and the Long Hair,” we see the first cracks in the boys’ fragile society as they begin to embrace primal instincts and embrace savagery in the face of fear and the lure of power.

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This chapter marks a significant turning point in the novel, where the innocent, optimistic hope of the first three chapters begins to fade. As the boys grapple with the realities of their situation, the allure of immediate gratification and the desire to control their environment begin to overshadow their initial desire for rescue. The innocence of their rescue mission is replaced by a more primal focus on survival, and the seeds of savagery are sown.

The Hunt: A Shift from Civilization to Savagery

The Appeal of the Primitive

The chapter opens with the boys hunting a pig, an activity that seems to be driven more by a desire for power and control than by a necessity for food. This is highlighted by the way they discuss the hunt, emphasizing the thrill of the chase and the act of killing, rather than the practical aspects of procuring meat. The hunt becomes a symbol of the boys’ growing desire to embrace their primal instincts and exert dominance over their environment. The hunt is not simply about survival, but about forging a new identity, an identity that is defined by violence and control.

The Power of Ritual

The hunt is also infused with ritual, as the boys begin to paint their faces with clay and mimic the behavior of wild animals. These primal acts, initially meant to camouflage themselves, become a means of embracing a new, more savage identity. The ritual of the hunt emphasizes the power of collective action and the thrill of group belonging. The boys are no longer just individual students, but are becoming something more primal, something more powerful.

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The Birth of the “Lord of the Flies”

The chapter concludes with the boys discovering a pig’s head on a stick, and Ralph, the elected leader, feels a sense of foreboding as he looks at this symbol of violence and the brutal reality of their situation. The pig’s head, which is later discovered to be a “Lord of the Flies,” a translation of Beelzebub, the Hebrew name for Satan, foreshadows the darkness and chaos that will soon consume the boys.

The Power of Fear: The Seeds of Paranoia

The hunt and the symbolic “Lord of the Flies” represent the boys’ growing fear of the unknown. They are isolated, vulnerable, and uncertain of their future. This fear fuels their growing paranoia, and they begin to see threats in every corner. The chapter ends with Simon, a quiet and contemplative boy, falling asleep while believing he sees a terrifying creature lurking in the shadows. Simon’s fear is a reflection of the growing fear among the entire group, a fear that will eventually lead to chaos and violence.

The Growing Divide: Ralph vs. Jack

The chapter also marks the beginning of a growing rift between Ralph, who represents the fragile remnants of civilization, and Jack, who embodies the primal instincts. Although Ralph maintains a desire to be rescued, his attempts to impose order and structure are met with increasing resistance from Jack and his growing tribe of followers. The hunt and the ritualistic behavior are a way for Jack to challenge Ralph’s authority, and he uses the boys’ fear and desire for power to attract followers to his side.

Chapter 4: Looking Ahead

The events of Chapter 4 set the stage for the escalating darkness that will consume the boys for the rest of the novel. The rituals, the hunt, the growing influence of Jack, and the creeping fear among the boys all foreshadow the terrible things that will happen later. The chapter highlights the fragility of civilization and the innate savagery that lies within all of us, especially in the face of fear, loneliness, and the tantalizing allure of power.

Lord Of The Flies Chapter 4

Conclusion

William Golding’s Lord of the Flies is a powerful story of humanity’s capacity for both good and evil. Chapter 4, “The Painted Faces and the Long Hair,” is a turning point in the narrative, where the seeds of savagery are sown. It explores the dark side of human nature and how fear, power, and the absence of authority can easily lead to a descent into savagery. As you continue delving into the novel, consider how the events of Chapter 4 shape the events that will unfold. How do the boys’ actions, thoughts, and emotions impact their relationships, and how does the fear and the desire for power continue to drive their behavior? Will the boys be able to salvage what remains of their humanity in the face of their primal instincts?