In William Golding’s novel Lord of the Flies, the word decorous appears early in the story to describe the civilized behavior of the boys before their descent into savagery. The term captures the essence of the boys’ initial manners, discipline, and adherence to social rules, traits that eventually fade as the island’s isolation takes hold. Understanding the use of decorous in Lord of the Flies provides valuable insight into the novel’s central theme the fragile nature of civilization and the ease with which order gives way to chaos when human instincts take over.
The Meaning of Decorous
The word decorous means exhibiting proper behavior, manners, and restraint. It reflects a sense of politeness, respectability, and adherence to social norms. In the context of Lord of the Flies, Golding uses decorous to describe the boys when they first arrive on the island, still bound by the rules and expectations of the civilized world. They speak politely, organize meetings, and attempt to maintain order through democratic decision-making, particularly under Ralph’s leadership.
This initial decorum contrasts sharply with the later scenes of the novel, where violence, fear, and primal instincts take over. The use of decorous is not accidental-it symbolizes the thin veneer of civilization that Golding believed covers humanity’s more savage impulses. When this veneer is stripped away, the true nature of human behavior emerges, unrestrained by rules or moral codes.
Decorous in the Early Chapters
In the early chapters of Lord of the Flies, Golding introduces the boys as representatives of civilized British society. They come from schools where rules, discipline, and hierarchy are deeply ingrained. The boys try to replicate these systems on the island by electing a leader, creating rules, and assigning responsibilities. Ralph’s leadership, Piggy’s intellect, and the conch shell all represent order and decorum.
When Golding uses the phrase the boys were decorous in their behavior, he highlights this attempt to maintain social structure. They listen to whoever holds the conch, take turns speaking, and behave with the manners expected of them in society. However, this moment of order is temporary-it serves as a baseline from which their gradual descent into chaos becomes more striking.
The Symbolism of Decorum
Golding uses decorum as a symbol of civilization itself. It represents the moral and social order that humans build to control their instincts. On the island, decorum is initially visible in small gestures-raising hands to speak, sharing duties, and showing respect to one another. Yet, as fear grows and the struggle for power intensifies, this sense of propriety begins to crumble.
The boys’ initial behavior reflects the values instilled in them by their upbringing, but without adult supervision or external authority, their self-restraint fades. The breakdown of decorum parallels the disintegration of civilization among the group. The polite meetings devolve into shouting matches, the rules lose meaning, and violence replaces order.
Loss of Decorum and the Rise of Savagery
The turning point in Lord of the Flies comes when the boys begin to prioritize survival, excitement, and dominance over cooperation and respect. Jack’s tribe embodies this transformation most clearly. He rejects Ralph’s orderly leadership, dismisses the rules, and encourages hunting and feasting as symbols of freedom from restraint. What begins as an innocent adventure becomes a brutal struggle for power and survival.
The loss of decorum is gradual but unmistakable. The boys stop addressing each other respectfully, they mock Piggy’s rationality, and they abandon their moral sense. Even the conch, once a sacred symbol of decorous communication, loses its authority and is eventually destroyed. This destruction represents the complete collapse of civilized order.
Examples of Lost Decorum
- The MeetingsEarly on, meetings are calm and organized, with boys waiting their turn to speak. Later, they become chaotic and meaningless, filled with shouting and ridicule.
- The ConchInitially a symbol of unity and respect, the conch’s destruction marks the death of decorous behavior and rational leadership.
- The HuntsWhat begins as a means of obtaining food turns into violent rituals, symbolizing the boys’ descent into savagery.
- The Deaths of Simon and PiggyThe murders of Simon and Piggy are the ultimate signs of the loss of morality and civility among the boys.
Golding’s Message About Civilization
Golding’s portrayal of decorous behavior serves a deeper philosophical purpose. He suggests that civilization is not a permanent or natural state but a fragile construct maintained by social pressure and shared values. Once these pressures disappear, humans quickly revert to instinctual, primal behavior. The boys’ transition from decorous schoolchildren to violent savages is not a transformation into something unnatural-it is a return to the instinctive behavior that civilization suppresses.
Through this lens, Lord of the Flies becomes more than a survival story; it is a commentary on the human condition. Golding implies that the forces of civilization and savagery exist within everyone. The boys’ loss of decorum is not caused by the island itself but by the inherent flaws in human nature.
Psychological Perspective on Decorum
From a psychological standpoint, decorum represents the superego, the part of the human mind that enforces moral behavior and societal norms. When the boys are removed from civilization, the superego weakens, and the id-the instinctual, impulsive part of the psyche-takes control. Jack and his hunters embody this dominance of the id, while Piggy and Ralph struggle to preserve the superego through rules and rationality. This internal conflict mirrors the external breakdown of order on the island.
The erosion of decorous behavior thus symbolizes the triumph of instinct over morality. Without the structures that uphold civility-laws, authority, and mutual respect-people revert to their baser instincts. Golding’s exploration of this theme is what gives Lord of the Flies its lasting power and relevance.
Contrasting Characters Ralph and Jack
The dynamic between Ralph and Jack illustrates the battle between decorum and savagery. Ralph strives to maintain order, fairness, and a sense of decency. He insists on building shelters, keeping the signal fire burning, and holding meetings to make collective decisions. His leadership is based on cooperation and decorous behavior.
Jack, on the other hand, represents rebellion against decorum. He is frustrated by the rules and eager to assert dominance through force and fear. His transformation from a disciplined choirboy to a ruthless hunter underscores the fragility of moral restraint. The more power Jack gains, the less importance decorum holds for the group.
The Collapse of Moral Order
By the end of the novel, all signs of decorous behavior vanish. The boys paint their faces, chant in unison, and hunt one another without remorse. The civility that once defined them as members of society is gone. Golding drives this point home with the arrival of the naval officer, who represents the return of civilization. Ironically, the officer’s presence only highlights the absurdity of the situation-adults engaged in global war are no less savage than the boys on the island.
The word decorous in Lord of the Flies captures a fleeting moment of order, civility, and moral discipline before the inevitable collapse into savagery. Golding uses it to show how civilization depends on fragile human agreements and shared values rather than inherent goodness. The boys’ loss of decorum is symbolic of humanity’s own struggle to maintain moral restraint in the face of fear, desire, and power. Through this concept, Golding reveals a timeless truth that the line between civilization and chaos is much thinner than we imagine, and without constant effort, the decorous behavior that defines society can easily dissolve into the wildness that lies within us all.