The major reason for the loss of innocence that is suffered by the boys is the inherent (in Golding's mind and his portrayal in the novel) evil present in all men, or boys as the case is here. Golding is careful to start the boys acting in the way that any of us would expect "civilized" boys to act. They discuss things, choose a leader, and begin to organize things in order to accomplish the...
The major reason for the loss of innocence that is suffered by the boys is the inherent (in Golding's mind and his portrayal in the novel) evil present in all men, or boys as the case is here. Golding is careful to start the boys acting in the way that any of us would expect "civilized" boys to act. They discuss things, choose a leader, and begin to organize things in order to accomplish the goals of building shelter and getting rescued.
Golding then begins to introduce the idea of evil and a thirst for violence and a way to fight back against the unknown. Jack and his hunters are hesitant at first, unable to actually strike out and kill a pig. As time goes on the hesitation is lost and they quickly reach a point where they are actually able to kill each other with the same ease as they kill the pigs.
This propensity for evil is what leads the boys to see themselves in such a stark light. As Ralph weeps in front of the naval officer, he weeps not in relief at being rescued or because of the fear he had of being killed but at the loss of innocence they had all suffered.
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