ROGER Flashcards
(3 cards)
“Roger’s arm was conditioned by a civilisation that knew nothing of him.”
At first, Roger holds back when throwing stones at a littleun.
“Conditioned” suggests that society still controls his violence, but that control is external, not moral.
Golding implies that without laws, people like Roger become truly dangerous.
“Roger sharpened a stick at both ends.”
Analysis:
This echoes what was done to the Lord of the Flies (the pig’s head), but now Roger plans this for Ralph.
The line is chilling and symbolic—Roger has become the embodiment of sadistic evil.
He’s no longer just following Jack; he’s the one pushing the violence further.
“High overhead, Roger, with a sense of delirious abandonment, leaned all his weight on the lever.”
This is when Roger kills Piggy. “Delirious abandonment” shows he enjoys the destruction and is completely unhinged from morality.
Golding shows Roger as violence personified, taking pleasure in cruelty for its own sake.
