The Influence of Groupthink and Mob Mentality in Lord of the Flies: A Study of the Boys’ Collective Actions and the Loss of Individuality

The Influence of Groupthink and Mob Mentality in Lord of the Flies: A Study of the Boys’ Collective Actions and the Loss of Individuality

The concept of groupthink and mob mentality plays a crucial role in Lord of the Flies, where the boys collectively abandon reason and morality in favor of the group’s desires and impulses. The descent into savagery is expedited by the boys’ loyalty to Jack’s growing tribe, where individual autonomy is sacrificed for the group’s sense of belonging and shared purpose.

As the boys increasingly act as a collective unit, their actions become more extreme and disconnected from personal responsibility. This loss of individuality and the dominance of mob mentality drive them to commit acts of violence, as seen in the killing of Simon and the final conflict that results in Piggy’s death. Golding uses groupthink to illustrate how individuals can be swept up in collective actions, losing their sense of personal morality and contributing to societal collapse.

9. The Character of Piggy in Lord of the Flies: Analyzing Piggy as a Symbol of Intellect, Reason, and Vulnerability

Piggy, one of the more intellectual and rational boys in Lord of the Flies, serves as a symbol of intellect, reason, and the fragility of civilization. Throughout the novel, Piggy strives to maintain order and uphold the values of logic and reason, often serving as the voice of reason against the growing savagery of the other boys.

Piggy’s vulnerability, both physically and socially, highlights the dangers of a society that values power over reason. His inability to protect his intellectual ideals, coupled with his physical weaknesses, ultimately leads to his tragic death. Through Piggy, Golding critiques the fragility of intellectualism and rational thought in a society that is rapidly descending into chaos.