What is the moral in Lord of the Flies?
accessteacher Teacher High School – 10th Grade eNotes Editor Your question relates to the opposition that is present in the novel and which force wins out at the end. The central opposition in the novel is that between the forces of civilisation and savagery, or order and chaos. Golding explores the competing instincts that dwell within us all: to live by rules, obey morals and act for the greater good of society, and then the opposite side, which is the desire to dominate, enforce one’s will and act immediately to gratify desires. This conflict is explored throughout the novel through examining the boys’ gradual slide into lawlessness as they adapt to life in a barbaric jungle away from the normal controls on their behaviour (law, parents, school etc). These two forces are represented by the two characters Ralph (civilisation) and Jack (savagery). Golding’s conclusion is that the instinct for savagery wins out in the end. It is far more primal and fundamental to us than the instinct o