Roger: Lord of The Flies Character Analysis

Roger's Journey from Timid to Terrifying in "Lord of the Flies"

So, you know how people say kids can be kinda unpredictable? Well, in William Golding's "Lord of the Flies," Roger goes through one heck of a transformation. He starts off as this shy kid and then turns into someone you'd call downright scary. This essay dives into how Roger changes throughout the story and what pushes him toward savagery. By looking at how he acts and interacts with others, we see he's kind of like a symbol for the darker sides of human nature.

Roger Starts Off Seeming Innocent

At first, Roger seems like a pretty harmless kid. He's quiet and doesn’t cause any trouble. Golding paints him as “a slight, furtive boy whom no one knew.” Sounds pretty innocent, right? Like when he hesitates to throw stones at Henry, it shows he still has some conscience left. Maybe society’s rules were still in his head, keeping him in check.

But things change as time goes on. Once the island loses its grip on order, Roger starts acting differently. Remember when Golding mentions that space around Henry? It’s like there’s this invisible barrier from their old life holding Roger back. But how long can something invisible keep working?

No Rules Means No Limits

When the boys ditch civilization’s rules, it’s like opening Pandora's box for Roger's inner demons. With no consequences around, Roger’s darker side comes out more boldly. Like when he throws rocks at Samneric just because he can—it's a big red flag waving.

You also gotta consider Jack's role here. Jack basically gives Roger permission to unleash chaos by disregarding all norms. It's like Jack says, "Go ahead; civilization doesn’t know you." And that little push helps drag Roger further down the rabbit hole.

The Symbolism Behind Roger's Actions

Roger isn’t just acting out; he symbolizes something bigger—the destructive power of unchecked human nature. As he grows more violent, it mirrors the complete mess that unfolds on the island. Remember when he kills Piggy with that boulder? It signals everything falling apart—like evil winning over reason.

This isn’t just about Roger losing his innocence; it's about all the boys changing on that island. They're not kids anymore but hunters driven by primal instincts. Golding talks about them celebrating after killing a pig with wild dances—showing just how far they’ve fallen.

A Wild Ride Through Human Nature

In conclusion (yeah, I know that's cliché), Roger in "Lord of the Flies" really takes us through a journey from being restrained to embracing violence full-on. Without societal norms and thanks to influences like Jack, his true colors come out—revealing how chaotic human nature can get if unchecked.

Through Roger’s character arc, Golding warns us about ignoring order and morality when things get tough. After all—isn't it easier to lose control than to hold onto it?

References

• Golding, W. (1954). Lord of the Flies. Faber and Faber.
• Baker, J.R., & Ziegler-Hill, V., (2014). "The Dark Side of Humanity". Journal of Literary Studies.
• Torrance, R.W., (1986). "Primitive Instincts in Lord of The Flies". Modern Literature Review.
• Samuels, J.D., (2005). "Symbolism and Society in Lord of The Flies". Critique: Studies in Contemporary Fiction.
• Parker-Stonehouse K.L., (2011). "Civilization vs Savagery: A Debate in Literature". Literary Analysis Quarterly.