What is the Significance of “Mock-Hunts” in Lord of the Flies?

Answer

What is the significance of “mock-hunts” in Lord of the Flies?

In William Golding’s (1911 – 1993) “Lord of the Flies” (1954), the mock hunts serve as a significant element. It sheds light on the boys’ decline into savagery. It brings the erosion of civilization on the island. These mock hunts reveal the darker aspects of human nature.

Symbolism of Power: The mock hunts symbolize the boys’ hunger for power and dominance over one another. As they imitate the act of hunting, they tap into primal instincts. They seek to control and superiority. Ralph, the elected leader, initially leads these hunts as a means of survival and rescue, but they transform into a display of authority and dominance. Golding writes, 

The desire to squeeze and hurt was over-mastering,

It highlights the boys’ growing tendency towards violence and control.

Loss of Innocence: Through the mock hunts, Golding highlights the gradual loss of innocence among the boys. The boundaries between right and wrong blur as the boys surrender to their primal urges. Golding highlights the regression from civilized beings to primal instincts.

Desensitization to Violence: As the story progresses, the mock hunts become increasingly violent. It reflects the boys’ growing detachment from the moral constraints of society. The line between play and reality blurs, as seen when the boys chant, 

Kill the beast! Cut his throat! Spill his blood!. 

This transformation signifies their descent into savagery and the erosion of their humanity.

Foreshadowing of Tragedy: The mock-hunts predict the tragic events that unfold later in the novel. They signify the tensions and conflicts within the group. It hints at the eventual breakdown of civilization on the island. Golding uses these hunts to warn of the upcoming chaos and violence. It flashes as the boys lose their humanity. As Ralph reflects, 

Things are breaking up. I don’t understand why.

In essence, the significance of the mock hunts in “Lord of the Flies” lies in their portrayal of power dynamics and loss of innocence. All of these contribute to the novel’s exploration of the darker aspects of human nature.