In the story, Lord of the Flies, the affects of bullying are represented by the character Piggy; however, there are similarities, as well as differences in modern day bullying.
Bullying has been lasting for decades now. In the novel, Lord of the Flies, Piggy is a victim of bullying by another stranded boy on the island named Jack. Studies show that bullying today have “gained notoriety as a type of behavior, becoming increasingly common” (Wayne). The bullying Piggy encounters and the bully Jack portrays himself to be in Lord of the Flies is very much alike to the bullying and the types of bullies that kids are being faced with today.
Though, some may not understand how bullying can be dangerous and extremely hurtful, not only physically, but mentally; it is best to properly explain that bullying is actually defined as “intentional aggressive behavior characterized by an imbalance of strength or power” (Fields). KidsHealth, in 2004, with the help of children revealing that they are one of these bullies, provided a survey showing that “40 percent of children in between the ages of nine to thirteen are one of these bullies” (Turley).
Unfortunately these are only the children who had the courage to confess that they were once a bully and or still are one. “Although bullying awareness is undeniably heightened, the casting of bullying in such a wide net, its redefinition as an epidemic” (Wayne). In today’s society bullying has become deaden, and more known as an “epidemic” most people tend to laugh at bullying instead of seeing bullying as being hurtful. Bullying is not only being known as an epidemic but also deadly. Even though bullying laws are set out in all states, not including Montana, they don’t always help all children and teens. Such as a high school student from Murray County, Georgia named Tyler Long.
According to ABC News 17 year old Tyler Long had enough of years of constant bullying and ended his life in 2009. Tyler was very similar to Piggy; Piggy is portrayed as a plodding little boy who is realistic in every gesture and expression, “we’ve got to have rules and obey them. After all, we're not savages” (Golding). Much alike to Piggy’s situation, Tyler was also rule orientated and liked structure. If other kids were disobeying those rules and structures set out for them Tyler was determined to remind them of what was right. Just as Piggy would show his determination to the rules and structure they made for the island to remain civilized. Like Piggy, Tyler was bullied for that.
Movies and cartoons for example, does a major part in this issue such as the cartoon Tom and Jerry, a show of a cat and mouse going back and forth with bullying and hurting one another, and the movie Mean Girls, a movie of three friends bullying the new girl. These types of shows and movies materialize and portray bullying as a joyous and laughing matter and encourage people to laugh and make fun of the bullying being shown.
Just as when you watch this...
