Plot: Killing

The book’s first act of violence is when Jack kills a pig. This demonstrates a severe loss of innocence, as Jack rejoices in the brutality rather than being ashamed or shocked by it.
The killing of a mother sow takes on ritualistic and savage characteristics. The hunters dance and chant around the pig, distancing themselves further from their former civilisation and humanity.
After setting up his own tribe separate from Ralph’s, Jack uses hunting and killing to manipulate and control his followers.
Simon’s murder represents the loss of spiritual and moral guidance on the island. His democratic and pacifist ideologies directly conflict with Jack’s authoritarian rule.
Simon’s death is masked as natural causes in order to deflect guilt from the boys. The language Golding uses describes a ‘beast’ emerging and attacking Simon, rather than attributing the blame directly to the boys.
The brutal killing of Piggy signifies the final step in the transition from civilised boys to savage killers. His intellectual and rational viewpoint is no longer tolerated in an environment controlled by Jack’s aggression and power.
Piggy’s murder is more deliberate than Simon’s, showing a further desensitisation to violence and death. This act confirms the complete dominance of savagery on the island.
The warship that finally rescues the boys symbolises the violence and destructiveness of the adult world. Their ‘salvation’ is from a machine built for war and killing, highlighting the novel’s overall theme of the innate human capacity for violence and savagery.