The breakdown in order begins when Ralph and Jack first argue; then, it accelerates once the boys split into two factions, one of which has complete moral degeneration.
William Golding held that a breakdown in the social order causes moral deterioration in the individual. This breakdown is suggested symbolically early in the narrative when Ralph and Piggy pull off their clothes, the trappings of society, and swim in the pool. But once Ralph is given the conch and he blows it, calling the others to him, he is recognized for having authority. However, as the boys begin to decide who will be their chief, there is dissension after Jack asks,
"Who wants Jack for chief?"
With dreary obedience the choir raised their hands.
Still Ralph wins the majority. From this point on, there is a rivalry between Ralph and Jack. So, in order for Jack to assert himself, he forms a group of hunters out of the choir. At first, however, they cannot kill "because of the unbearable blood." Also, they still believe in rules. In fact, early on, Jack concurs with Ralph that rules are necessary and must be obeyed.
"After all, we're not savages. We're English and the English are best at everything. So we've got to do the right things."
But, while their intentions are initially good, the inherent evil in mankind begins to surface in the boys. After they light the rescue fire, for instance,
Ralph realized that the boys were falling still and silent, feeling the beginnings of awe at the power set free below them. The knowledge and the awe made him savage.
The others are also excited by the blazing fire. Piggy, the voice of reason, tries to talk and loses his temper. He scolds the others, saying that shelters should have been built first. "How can you expect to be rescued if you don't put first things first and act proper?"
Then, Jack turns on Ralph and they argue. Disorder begins because Jack feels a compulsion to track and kill prey, and Ralph wants shelters built and the rescue fire tended. He and Jack argue,
"You wouldn't care to help with the shelters, I suppose?"
We want meat--"
"And we don't get it."
Now the antagonism was audible.
When Ralph essays to get the boys to build shelters, they run away despite the meetings in which everyone has agreed to work hard until the shelters are finished. Only Simon remains to offer his help and solicitude; however, at times he goes off on his own, much like the ascetic who seeks inner truths. In fact, among all the boys there is an intuitive sense of some presence, a presence that they later call "the beast." This is the emerging evil within them.
In Chapter Four, changes begin to occur in the boys. For instance, while a littl'un named Henry plays on the beach, the sadistic Roger throws stones near him.
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.
Shortly after this incident, Roger looks at Jack and
...a darker shadow crept beneath the swarthiness of his skin; but Jack noticed nothing.
This "darker shadow" comes upon the others in Jack's group as they paint their faces with charcoal stick and patches of red and white. Hidden behind these masks, the boys feel released from inhibitions learned in society--"liberated from shame and self-consciousness."
- Jack forms a separate group of hunters
Once Jack and the other hunters break from the group, they paint themselves and delight in hunting and killing the feral pigs on the island. "We don't need the conch anymore," shouts Jack. After they kill one pig, they impale its head on a stick. Later, Simon happens upon a dead parachutist that the boys have imagined to be "the beast." He also happens upon the Lord of the Flies, who reveals to Simon the evil that is inherent in mankind.
Then, Simon comes down the mountain in order to tell the boys what he has found and what he has learned. But, he somehow finds himself in the middle of the circle in which the boys dance in a frenzy. Even Ralph and Piggy are there, having been drawn into the circle. Unfortunately, Simon is bludgeoned to death as the boys dance in a frenzy, shouting "Kill the beast!" His body is washed out to sea.
Jack continues his reign of terror. He declares there is no need for a conch, and he has a boy named Wilifred beaten. When Jack suggests a feast the next day, he is asked how they will make a fire; Jack replies that they will steal the fire from Ralph and the others. Later, they set upon Ralph's camp and steal Piggy's glasses. The next day Ralph, Piggy, and others climb to Jack's camp and demand Piggy's glasses. But Jack attacks and he and Ralph begin to fight. However, Piggy, who holds the conch, demands to be heard. Jack pauses momentarily, but the sadistic Roger lets a boulder fall upon Piggy who is sent careening down the mountain, into the sea, symbolizing the end of rationality.
Ralph manages to escape, but SamnEric are captured and forced to reveal where Ralph is hiding. In his maniacal desire to kill Ralph, Jack sets the entire island on fire. A desperate Ralph races to an opening and he finds himself on the beach where there are sailors and a Naval officer. The naval officer looks around at the devastation wrought by the boys. He remarks that the English boys should have put up a better show of behavior. Ralph says, "It was like that at first, before things----"
Ralph looks around and weeps for
...the end of innocence, the darkness of man's heart, and the fall through the air of the true, wise friend called Piggy.
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