“Lord of the Flies” by William Golding is a classic novel that explores the dark side of human nature. Set on a deserted island, a group of British boys find themselves stranded after a plane crash and must fend for themselves. One of the memorable characters in the book is Maurice, a young boy who displays a mix of innocence and cruelty throughout the story. His quotes shed light on the complexities of human behavior and the struggle for power. In this article, we will explore some of the most thought-provoking Maurice quotes from “Lord of the Flies.”
Maurice initially appears as a playful and mischievous character. He takes part in the boys’ games and enjoys the freedom of the island. However, as the story progresses, his true nature starts to emerge. Maurice becomes part of the group that succumbs to the primal instincts and violence. His quotes reflect the transformation he undergoes and the internal battle between civilization and savagery.
Without further ado, let’s delve into some of the most memorable Maurice quotes from “Lord of the Flies” and gain insight into the dark journey the boys embark on:
Read these Maurice Quotes Lord of the Flies
“I’ve been watching the sea. There hasn’t been the trace of a ship. Perhaps we’ll never be rescued.”
“I could swim when I was five. Daddy taught me. He’s a commander in the Navy. When he gets leave, he’ll come and rescue us.”
“We used to have water. Now we drink from coconut shells. You can’t drink sea water. You’d get sick.”
“We don’t need the conch anymore. We know who ought to say things.”
“It was dark. There was that—bloody dance. There was lightning and thunder and rain. We was scared!”
“I’m frightened. Of us. I want to go home. Oughtn’t we to—oughtn’t we to die before we let the fire out?”
“You can’t have everybody talking at once. We’ll have to have ‘hands up’ like at school.”
“Nobody knows where we are. We may be here a long time.”
“He can’t hurt you: but if you stand out of the way he’d hurt the next thing. And that’s me.”
“He’s going to beat Wilfred. He’s been tied for hours, waiting.”
“You’re talking too much. Shut up, Fatty.”
“The thing is—fear can’t hurt you any more than a dream. There aren’t any beasts to be afraid of on this island.”
“I didn’t mean to. Honestly, I didn’t. But I did! Not to Piggy’s face!”
“I thought I might kill.”
“You’re hurting me. Stop it! You’re breaking the rules!”
“He’s a coward himself!”
“I didn’t really hurt him, did I?”
“It was an accident, wasn’t it? And you said you’d kill the next thing you came across. And you came across me.”
“We did everything adults would do. What went wrong?”
“I’m warning you. I’m going to get angry. D’you see? You’re not wanted. Understand? We are going to have fun on this island. Understand? We are going to have fun on this island! So don’t try it on, my poor misguided boy, or else—”
“I got the conch!”
These quotes from Maurice in “Lord of the Flies” highlight the loss of civility and the descent into savagery that the boys experience. Maurice’s character serves as a reminder of the thin line between innocence and darkness within us all.
