In William Golding's "Lord of the Flies," the boys' reactions to death evolve significantly as the story progresses. Initially, when Piggy is killed, the boys are shocked and horrified, especially Ralph, who grapples with the gravity of the crime. This moment marks a turning point in the novel, illustrating the collapse of civilization and moral order among the boys.
At first, the boys establish rules and a semblance of order, engaging in meetings and adhering to the conch's authority, which symbolizes democracy and civilization. However, as fear and savagery take hold, the original rules begin to disintegrate. The boys shift from having a structured society to succumbing to primal instincts and chaos.
As they witness deaths, including Simon’s murder, the boys often react with a mix of fear, denial, and a chilling desensitization to violence. The earlier respect for life diminishes, and death becomes a spectacle rather than a profound loss. Ultimately, the boys are caught in a moral decline, as the fun and games of their initial days on the island transform into episodes of brutality and the complete breakdown of society. The gradual shift in their reaction to death reflects the central themes of the novel: the inherent darkness in human nature and the fragility of civilization.
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