Quotes From Lord Of The Flies About Piggy

In William Golding's allegorical novel, Lord of the Flies, Piggy serves as the intellectual and rational counterpoint to the primal savagery that gradually consumes the group of stranded British schoolboys. Piggy's character is meticulously crafted through his words and actions, but perhaps even more powerfully through the author's narrative and the interactions he has with the other boys. Examining Piggy's quotes provides profound insight into his character, his role in the novel, and the broader themes Golding explores.

Piggy: The Embodiment of Intellect and Reason

Piggy, whose real name is never revealed, is introduced as an overweight, bespectacled boy, immediately setting him apart from the others. His physical appearance and intellectual demeanor make him an easy target for ridicule, yet his insights are often the most valuable.

Early Assertions of Order

In the initial chaos following the plane crash, Piggy is the first to recognize the need for order and organization. He quickly attaches himself to Ralph, the elected leader, and becomes his trusted advisor.

"We got to find the others. We got to do something."

This quote, early in the novel, establishes Piggy as the voice of reason. He understands the gravity of their situation and the necessity of taking action. His insistence on finding the others demonstrates his concern for the group's well-being, a stark contrast to the self-interest displayed by some of the other boys.

"We can use this to call the others. Have a meeting. They'll come when they hear us—"

Piggy's suggestion to use the conch shell to gather the boys highlights his practical intelligence. The conch becomes a symbol of democracy and order, largely due to Piggy's foresight. He recognizes its potential as a tool for communication and unity, a crucial element in establishing a functional society.

Piggy's Intellectual Prowess

Piggy's intelligence is not limited to practical matters; he also possesses a keen understanding of human nature and the potential for societal breakdown.

"Like kids! Acting like a crowd of kids!"

This exasperated remark reveals Piggy's frustration with the boys' immature behavior. He recognizes that their descent into savagery stems from their inability to act responsibly and think rationally. Piggy's words are a commentary on the fragility of civilization and the ease with which it can crumble in the absence of adult supervision.

"What are we? Humans? Or animals? Or savages? What's grownu' up to be?"

Piggy's rhetorical questions encapsulate the central conflict of the novel. He is grappling with the fundamental question of human nature: Are humans inherently good or evil? His confusion reflects the boys' gradual transformation from civilized beings to primal savages. Piggy's poignant question highlights the devastating consequences of abandoning reason and succumbing to primal instincts.

The Importance of Rules and Structure

Piggy consistently emphasizes the importance of rules and structure as a means of maintaining order and preventing chaos.

"Which is better—to have rules and agree, or to hunt and kill?"

This quote encapsulates Piggy's unwavering belief in the power of civilization. He presents a clear dichotomy between the rational, rule-based society they should strive for and the savage, instinct-driven behavior that threatens to consume them. Piggy's question is a direct challenge to Jack's leadership, which is based on the allure of hunting and the gratification of primal desires.

"The rules! You're breaking the rules!"

As the boys become increasingly unruly, Piggy's pleas for adherence to the rules become more frequent and desperate. He sees the rules as the only thing standing between them and complete chaos. His insistence on following the rules, even when others disregard them, underscores his commitment to civilization and his fear of the consequences of its collapse.

Piggy as a Symbol of Vulnerability and Reason

Piggy's physical appearance and intellectual nature make him an easy target for the other boys' cruelty, yet his vulnerability also makes him a sympathetic character.

Physical Weakness and Social Isolation

Piggy's physical limitations and social awkwardness contribute to his isolation and make him a target for bullying.

"You're talking too much," said Jack Merridew. "Shut up, Fatty."

Jack's demeaning nickname for Piggy highlights his disdain for him. This casual cruelty reveals Jack's lack of empathy and his willingness to use Piggy's physical appearance as a weapon. The use of the term "Fatty" is particularly cruel, as it reduces Piggy to his physical characteristics and ignores his intellectual capabilities.

"I can't see nothing!"

Piggy's reliance on his glasses makes him particularly vulnerable. When Jack steals his glasses, Piggy is effectively blinded, both literally and figuratively. His inability to see represents the boys' growing blindness to reason and morality. The broken glasses also symbolize the shattering of intellect and the triumph of savagery.

Piggy's Naiveté and Idealism

Despite the boys' constant cruelty, Piggy clings to his belief in reason and civilization. His naiveté and idealism, while admirable, ultimately contribute to his downfall.

"I thought they wanted the conch."

In the moments leading up to his death, Piggy still believes that the boys will respect the conch and adhere to the rules. His inability to comprehend the depth of their savagery is a testament to his unwavering belief in the power of reason. Tragically, his idealism blinds him to the danger he is in, making him an easy target for Roger's deadly attack.

"Which is better, law and rescue, or hunting and breaking things up?"

Even in his final moments, Piggy attempts to appeal to the boys' sense of reason. He desperately tries to remind them of the importance of law and order, but his words are drowned out by the boys' primal screams. Piggy's final question is a poignant reminder of the choice they have made: to embrace civilization or succumb to savagery.

Piggy's Tragic End

Piggy's death marks the complete triumph of savagery over reason on the island. His demise is a brutal and senseless act, symbolizing the loss of innocence and the destruction of intellect.

The Loss of Reason and Intellect

Piggy's death signifies the irreversible descent into savagery. With Piggy gone, there is no longer a voice of reason to challenge Jack's authority or remind the boys of the importance of civilization.

"Piggy fell forty feet and landed on his back across the square red rock. His head opened and stuff came out and turned red. Piggy's arms and legs twitched a bit, like a pig's after it has been killed."

Golding's graphic description of Piggy's death underscores the brutality of the act and its devastating consequences. The comparison of Piggy to a pig further dehumanizes him, highlighting the boys' complete abandonment of empathy and compassion. Piggy's death is a tragic loss, not only for Ralph but for the entire group, as it signals the final extinguishing of hope for a return to civilization.

The Shattering of the Conch

The shattering of the conch alongside Piggy's death symbolizes the complete disintegration of order and democracy on the island.

"The conch exploded into a thousand white fragments and ceased to exist."

The destruction of the conch represents the final triumph of savagery over civilization. With the conch gone, there is no longer any symbol of authority or order to restrain the boys' primal instincts. The island is now completely devoid of reason, and the boys are free to indulge in their darkest desires.

Analyzing Key Quotes

Diving deeper into some of Piggy's most impactful quotes reveals layers of meaning and sheds light on the novel's overarching themes.

"I got the conch!"

This seemingly simple statement carries significant weight within the context of the novel. When Piggy asserts, "I got the conch!" he is not merely stating a fact; he is claiming his right to be heard and respected. The conch, as established earlier, symbolizes order and democracy, and whoever holds it has the right to speak without interruption. Piggy's assertion is a challenge to the growing dominance of Jack and his tribe, who prioritize hunting and violence over rational discussion.

Piggy's insistence on holding the conch highlights his belief in the power of discourse and his commitment to maintaining a semblance of civilization. He understands that the only way to prevent the boys from descending into complete savagery is to uphold the principles of order and fairness, and the conch is the embodiment of those principles. However, as the novel progresses, Piggy's faith in the conch and its ability to protect him proves to be tragically misplaced. The other boys, increasingly consumed by their primal instincts, disregard the conch and its symbolic authority, ultimately leading to Piggy's demise.

"What are we? Humans? Animals? Or savages?"

This quote is perhaps Piggy's most profound and thought-provoking statement. It encapsulates the central conflict of the novel: the struggle between civilization and savagery within the human heart. Piggy's question forces the reader to confront the uncomfortable truth that the line between humans and animals is often blurred, and that even the most civilized individuals are capable of succumbing to their primal instincts.

Piggy's use of the word "savages" is particularly significant. He recognizes that the boys are not merely behaving badly; they are undergoing a fundamental transformation, shedding their civilized veneer and embracing a more primitive, violent way of life. This transformation is driven by fear, hunger, and the allure of power, but it is also a reflection of the inherent darkness that exists within human nature. Piggy's question serves as a warning, urging the boys (and the reader) to resist the pull of savagery and to strive to maintain their humanity.

"Which is better—to have rules and agree, or to hunt and kill?"

This quote is a direct challenge to Jack's leadership and the values he represents. Piggy presents a clear dichotomy between two opposing ways of life: one based on reason, cooperation, and the pursuit of common goals, and the other based on instinct, violence, and the gratification of individual desires. Piggy's question is not merely rhetorical; it is a call to action, urging the boys to choose the path of civilization over the path of savagery.

The contrast between "rules and agree" and "hunt and kill" highlights the fundamental differences between Piggy and Jack. Piggy believes in the power of reason and the importance of establishing a just and orderly society. He understands that rules are necessary to protect the weak from the strong and to ensure that everyone has a fair chance to succeed. Jack, on the other hand, sees rules as a hindrance to his own power and desires. He believes that the only way to survive on the island is to embrace one's primal instincts and to dominate others through force. Piggy's question forces the boys to confront this fundamental conflict and to choose which path they will follow.

"Didn't you hear what the pilot said? About the atom bomb? They must be all dead."

This quote reveals Piggy's awareness of the larger world and the war that is raging beyond the island. While the other boys are focused on their immediate survival and the thrill of hunting, Piggy is haunted by the knowledge that their isolation is a consequence of a global catastrophe. His words serve as a reminder that the boys' descent into savagery is not occurring in a vacuum; it is a reflection of the larger societal breakdown that is taking place in the world around them.

Piggy's reference to the "atom bomb" is particularly chilling. It suggests that the boys' experience on the island is not merely a childish adventure gone wrong, but a microcosm of the potential for human self-destruction. The war, with its senseless violence and disregard for human life, mirrors the boys' own descent into savagery. Piggy's words serve as a cautionary tale, warning against the dangers of unchecked aggression and the importance of maintaining reason and morality, even in the face of overwhelming chaos.

Piggy's Enduring Legacy

Piggy's character and quotes remain relevant today as a reminder of the fragility of civilization and the importance of reason, empathy, and intellect. His tragic fate serves as a warning against the dangers of unchecked aggression and the seductive allure of primal instincts. Through Piggy, Golding delivers a powerful message about the human capacity for both good and evil, and the constant struggle to maintain balance between the two.