Advocating Civility
In both Golding's Lord of the Flies and Marquez's "I Only Came to Use the Phone" emerges what is more than a simplistic story but instead an avocation for the author's beliefs. These authors use several techniques such as plot and dialectical choice to exemplify their distaste for savagery. Both main characters, Ralph and Maria, transition from an individual in a new and isolated environment to a savage who is a part of this place. When looking at Golding and Marquez's techniques of influential plot and dialectal choice, one can determine that these methods of writing are used to advocate civility.
Initially, in Lord of the Flies the main character Ralph is placed in an isolated setting being an island, that is very detached from the civility that Ralph came from, which indicates that at first he will be very opposite compared to this setting. "The fair boy began to pick his way as casually as possible toward the water" (Golding 8). It is recognized that Ralph is not comfortable with this setting since he picks his way through attempting to look casual rather than being relaxed and natural when going about walking. Ralph as well is described as a fair boy, which is used by Golding to exemplify that he does not belong here, because typically someone that belongs on an island or has been there some time would not be fair skinned but instead of a darker complexion. Golding makes Ralph so opposite to his setting as a way of symbolizing the vast separation between savagery and civility. At this point Ralph is not affected by his setting so he therefore cannot lose his civility in an instant. This is Golding preparing the audience for the changes that influence the civility of Ralph to come.
Likewise, Marquez uses the beginning plot opposition to prepare his audience in "I Only Came to Use the Phone". The civility Maria has experienced in her everyday life does not compare to the savagery in the insane asylum. Maria will not instantly be a part of the insane asylum she is placed in, because it has not had a chance to influence her yet. "When she reached Maria, she was surprised to see that she was not wearing her identification" (Marquez 74). When speaking of one of the matrons working at the insane asylum, it is seen that they expect Maria to have a label in this place. She should be a part of it in their eyes, and this brings a question into the mind of the matron as to why she is not. Marquez uses this to bring to the surface how separated Maria is so the audience can recognize the basis of which the argument of avocation of civility comes from.
As Ralph's character progresses, Golding uses Ralph's taste in savage actions as a field for him to advocate civility. When the boys on the island with Ralph accidentally catch the forest part of the island on fire as they are creating a signal for rescue, Ralph is caught gawking at the destruction. "Unwillingly Ralph turned away from the splendid, awful sight" (Golding 45). What is...