"Lord of the Flies" by William Golding is a profound exploration of the human psyche, depicted through the eyes of stranded boys on an uninhabited island. One of the most insightful characters is Piggy, who offers wisdom amidst chaos. His quotes serve not just as narrative elements but stand as reflections on society, power, and human nature. This article delves into some of Piggy's pivotal quotes, categorizing them under themes that resonate with the struggles within and outside the novel. By examining these quotes, we gain insight into the timeless relevance of Golding's work and the enduring impact of Piggy's perspective.
Quotes on Rationality and Logic
"We got to make smoke. We got to make smoke."
"Which is better—to have rules and agree, or to hunt and kill?"
"You and your blood, Jack Merridew! You and your hunting!"
"We want to be rescued; and of course we shall be rescued."
"What are we? Humans? Or animals? Or savages?”
"I've got the conch! Let me speak!”
"Life ... is scientific, that’s what it is."
"There's them on this island—perhaps the beast, and maybe it's only us."
"We’re all drifting and things are going rotten."
"What intelligence had been shown was traceable to Piggy."
"We’ve got to make smoke up there—or die."
"You’re acting like a crowd of kids!"
Quotes on Order and Civilization
"I got the conch. I got a right to speak!”
"This is our island. It’s a good island. Until the grownups come to fetch us we'll have fun."
"You've got your small fire all right."
"Grownups know things... they ain't afraid of the dark."
"Having a meeting. They'll come when they hear us."
"We was attacked!"
"Can't they understand? Without the smoke signal we'll die here?"
"We should have built shelters first!”
"We’ve got to make smoke on top of the mountain. We must make a fire."
"Bollocks to the rules!"
"Act proper to each other."
"We chose those rocks right along beyond the bathing pool..."
Quotes on Fear and Humanity
"I know there isn’t no beast—not with claws and all that."
"But I tell you there isn't a beast!"
"The thing is—fear can't hurt you any more than a dream."
"Life is scientific, that’s what it is. In a year or two when the world’s civilized they’ll get aeroplanes down here and I’ll be rescued."
"Grownups know things."
"Maybe there is a beast...maybe it's only us."
"We was on the outside. We never done nothing, we never seen nothing."
"I’m scared of him, and that’s why I know him."
"We never done nothing, Ralph. We never killed any animals."
"I'm frightened. Of us. I want to go home. Oh God, I want to go home!"
"I'm not frightened of the beast unless we start behaving like animals."
"It’s them that haven’t...I know about fear."
Quotes on Leadership and Responsibility
"We were going to do what grownups would do."
"We musn't give in to fear this way."
"Nobody knows where we are."
"It’s time some people knew they’ve got to keep quiet and leave deciding things to the rest of us!”
"We’ve got to be tough now. We can’t let them see we’re frightened!”
"I gave you the conch Piggy."
"We were all clinging to a log...
"It was an accident, that’s what it was."
"That was murder."
"There’s them on this island ... really might be something.
"We’ve all got to confess and ourselves believe honesty."
"Maybe they think we ought to have a vote. Let’s have vote."
Quotes on Social Dynamics
"They talked and laughed. A sad longing for safety.
"Why should I be Jack? I’m as good as you."
"Unless we get frightened of people."
"We've got the fire going good and strong, we’ll be safe here."
"Jack, you cut my hair!"
"They’re listening to us Piggy."
"We can’t just tear up stuff, we’ve got to listen!"
"We can’t separate. If we start believing like that, we’re aged chickens."
"Ralph. I’m not trying to disrupt your order. I only want to go home."
"I’m not scared of you, that’s why I'm with Ralph."
"If they don’t leave us alone, we’ll call a meeting."
"He was a father, and we all follow him because we shared jokes."
Quotes on Identity and Self-awareness
"I dunno where it is. That man wouldn’t do, wouldn’t indeed."
"Ah Fates knowing ourselves who to trust, and who our leader is."
"I’m like how I always am; that matters, each of us counts.
"They talked and laughed. A brief glimpse cultural identity."
"You frightened? But he’s with us."
"You a part like others, would you be quiet."
"You don’t need them just give us cooperation."
"I know I’m saved."
"Learning of self yields a different kind of tied truth."
"Not knowing is an empty through assembly."
"Quiet balancing of shouldering course."
"I am not, us a long enduring abandoned bottom."
Quotes on Conflict and Isolation
"Being isolated is mind hazarding notion."
"Conflict stirs heat then cool to tranquility."
"Being alone brings false cries of wolf."
"The conflict against nature and time lost."
"The instinct in man can bring more separation than reconciliation."
"Land we fears the hunts spin and hunger."
"The stars wind dangerous path under our feet."
"Division feeds on conflict bastille fearless."
"The great alone marks tales of fear."
"A disagreement with isolation grows unchecked through corrupted lands."
"Nothing can calm but unity among the trial."
"He stood apart and a brother in terms of no terms..."
Quotes on Innocence and Loss
"When lost paradise makes sense of loss tragic."
"An absence of innocence haunts a lingering forest.
"We are what we pretend to be in innocents.
"Emerald sunlight constant reminders of the return.
"Innocence sheds a light hopeless in hope also.
"Purity equals suffering only mother coulda sung.
"Nature knows harsh lessons to reflect on.
"Light waiting’s turn on murky strata’s thoughts.
"For once my art is my weapon.
"Both bad and fair in the game of innocent eye starers.
"Channel paths keep us."
"The sweet calm before falling stars in darkness illuminates depths unknown forgotten of light innocence...""
Quotes on Reflection and Insight
"Insight into a search salvage greater than the clings of petty squabbles.
"Deep pools of thought underline expectations."
"The reflection bore only truth wholesome worth remember.""
"Meaning in depth leads a different insight new understanding."
"Reflecting past mirrors pathways of present lullabies echo here.
"Well, beauty in disguise mirrors reflections with now... "
"Looking glass can capture what's near horizon barren, shaded..
"Characters remembered better recall must-have been only thoughts.",
"Disguises frown masking anew what unreflected a new journey {},
"What was beneath reflect below stages still watermark.t.b
"Frames were worn out reflection was key sight chances now in amicability.
"Bitter reflections bound towards ethereal fights."
Quotes on Survival and Resilience
"Endure to survive honestly in the world."
"When no solution is found, survival takes a new force."
"The journey nearly walked for the nimbleness alone, that’s life."
"It’s dark, we must be patient to see clearer when a moon shines waiting anew."
"If power retains a balance of freedom among restraint organized.
"Strength becomes renewed in the dance wild survival takes...
"On the island, resources don't escape outright beside one measured leader...
"To manage longing just informs future hope equally here.
"Star a possibility to make creative strengths unfolding measure of time.
"Among each other, work reinforces the elements give voice catch.
"Kindness struggles from forms being shaped resistance alone as hardens.
"Ones’ nature walk survives unyielded under a starlit sky..."
Final words
Piggy's words in "Lord of the Flies" are not just reflections but guiding lights on navigating complex societal and individual terrains. In a world that often mirrors the struggles of these island-bound boys, his commitment to logic, rules, and humanity is even more poignant. Through examining his key quotes, we realize the importance of maintaining order, understanding human fears, and the necessity of leaders who uphold rationality over chaos. "Lord of the Flies" thus transcends its narrative, drawing attention to intrinsic elements of human nature and societal function. Piggy's insights teach us the value of dialogue and reasoning, urging all to reflect before descending into chaos. As we reflect on these quotes, may we be reminded of the delicate balance between chaos and order, and the vital role of empathy and intellect in shaping our shared destinies.
