In Chapter Four of The Lord of the Flies, there is a
passage that reiterates what the above quote conveys,
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Roger stooped, picked up a stone, aimed, and
threw it at Henry--threw it to miss. The stone, that token of preposterous time,
bounced five yard's to Henry's right and fell in the water. Roger gathered a handful of
stones and began to throw them. Yet there was a space around Henry, perhaps six yeards
in diameter, into which he dare not throw. Here, invisible yet strong, was the taboo of
the old life. Round the squatting child was the protection of parents and school and
policemen and the law. Roger's arm was conditioned by a civilization that knew nothing
of him and was in
ruins.
Because the sadistic
Roger has only been isolated from the civilized world he knew for such a short time, he
yet feels the restrictions of a civilized community formerly which has kept him from
striking poor Henry. Roger has not yet felt free enough to be able to step outside the
bounds of civilization.
Later, when Jack picks up the clay
and smears it onto his face to mask his features from the pig, he shows his visage to
Roger, who "understood and nodded gravely." Jack, "liberated from shame and
self-consciousness"--those restrictions placed by society, lets out bloodthirsty screams
and runs about. Thus, the "locks and chains" are taken off and anarchy comes in as the
hunters, in their enthusiasm for playing at killing a pig, attack Simon and kill
him.
Likewise, Roger, released from "the conditioning of a
civilization in ruins," gives full vent to his sadistic nature. Given the opportunity,
he pushes a granite boulder that crashes onto Piggy's head, splitting it and projecting
the bleeding Piggy into the sea. With the release of the evil side of their inherent
natures, Jack and Roger force the other boys to help them find Ralph and kill
him.
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