Discrimination comes in different forms, it is a unique pattern of harming and humiliating others, specifically those who are in some way smaller, weaker, younger, or more vulnerable. ‘Lord of the Flies’ is translated by William Golding. In the novel, discrimination leads to Piggy’s abuse. Despite all of Piggy’s leadership qualities, his physical appearance, social class, and personality help lay the foundation for the other boys to neglect and abuse him.
Piggy is bullied by the other boys because of his physical appearance. He is considered to be an outcast among the boys because he is overweight, has asthma, and wears glasses. For that reason, he does not fit in with the rest of the boys he is often laughed at or ignored by everyone. “He was shorter than the fair boy and very fat. He came forward, searching out safe lodgments for his feet, and then looked up through thick spectacles” (Golding, 7). “My auntie told me not to run, he explained, on account of my asthma” (Golding, 9). Golding illustrates in his novel that discrimination based on physical appearance is common in society. The stigma of ugliness affects Piggy’s personality and marks him throughout the novel.
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Likewise, Piggy’s lack of physical strength helps the boys identify him as the weakest link in the group. He is capable and intelligent, he suggests that they ‘make a list’, ‘have a meeting’, and make a ‘sundial’ to keep track of time, however, the boys overlook these characteristics and value physical strength over brain strength. “Piggy stirred. ‘I’ll come’. Ralph turned to him. ‘You’re no good on a job like this’. ‘All the same-’. ‘We don’t want you’, said Jack flatly. ‘Three’s enough’” (Golding, 24). The other boys discriminate against Piggy by intentionally excluding and ridiculing Piggy for not being able to participate and do physical labor.
Furthermore, Piggy is ignored by the other members of the group because he is of the lower class. Most of the other boys come from the same class, except Piggy. “I used to live with my auntie. She kept a candy store” (Golding, 13). The textual reference that Piggy’s auntie had her own candy business symbolizes that Piggy comes from a lower working class. Whereas, the other boys had more opportunities and privileges than Piggy did growing up. “‘I can’t swim. I wasn’t allowed’. ‘My asthma’” (Golding, 13). “‘I could swim when I was five. Daddy taught me. He is a commander in the Navy’, said Ralph” (Golding, 13). Piggy isn’t considered a leader by the other boys because everyone sees him as powerless and unable to handle the situation the boys are currently in. Piggy comes from a different kind of school, as well as a different social class from the other boys. In the boy’s code of conduct, Piggy’s lower status means that the boys can mock and ridicule him without punishment. There is no need to be polite to him, and it’s acceptable to betray his confidence.
Finally, Piggy is disregarded by the other boys because his character symbolizes the voice of reason and is the only logical thinker in the group. He recognizes that the conch can be used to establish order and organization and it could be used to call others. “I got the conch said Piggy indignantly. You let me speak!” (Golding, 42). Since there was no adult supervision on the island, the boys thought they could do whatever they wanted with no order. They reject Piggy because he represents the rules of civilization. Piggy is also unpopular amongst the boys because he sets and follows rules and is focused on being rescued while the others get caught up in having fun and hunting pigs etc. “‘What are we? Humans? Or animals? Or savages? What are grownups going to think? Going off – hunting pigs – letting fires out – and now!’. A shadow fronted him tempestuously. ‘You shut up, you fat slung!’” (Golding, 91). He reminds the boys of their parents and teachers. He is like the ‘adult’ keeping them in order as much as possible. The boys see their freedom on the island and do not want to listen to Piggy, they want to be free of adult restrictions.
Throughout the novel, the reader can see that discrimination plays an important role in Piggy’s abuse. Piggy at the end of the novel can no longer take the abuse the other boys are giving him. His symbolic breaking point is when the rock breaks his glasses. He can no longer see anything his vision is blurry, he can’t see the rock coming towards him, nor does he make any movement to avoid it, causing him to be crushed by it. Though it is a sad ending for his character, he has finally been set free of the discrimination that was holding him down from the start.
Hence, in his novel ‘Lord of the Flies’, Golding raises among others the problem of discrimination, which is illustrated by Piggy’s neglected personality. Piggy was abused by other boys. They reject him and the rules of civilization that he represents. The more Piggy is ignored by Jack and the others, the more he is 'silenced' by society and denied his rights of respect from the others. By being different, Piggy completely lost his voice of opinion as well as any support on the island.
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