* Initially: At the beginning of the novel, the boys' hair is neatly cut, reflecting their connection to civilized society and the rules they were accustomed to. Ralph, in particular, is often described with his fair hair falling over his face, a sign of his initial attempts to maintain order and a semblance of normalcy.
* Growing Longer and Matted: As the boys spend more time on the island and their rescue becomes less of a priority, their hair grows longer, wilder, and becomes matted. This physical change mirrors their mental and moral deterioration. It signifies their increasing disconnect from the civilized world and their growing embrace of primal instincts. The longer, unkempt hair becomes a visual marker of their loss of self-control and adherence to rules.
* Loss of Individuality: The uniformity of their increasingly wild appearance also suggests a loss of individuality. As they become more savage, they start to look and act more alike, particularly the hunters. Their physical appearance reflects their absorption into the group mentality and their willingness to follow the primal desires of the hunt, fueled by Jack's influence.
* Jack's Deliberate Wildness: Jack, in particular, uses his increasingly wild appearance as a tool to intimidate and attract followers. His long, matted hair becomes a symbol of his rejection of civilization and his embrace of savagery. He uses the boys' appearance, including their painted faces and wild hair, to create a sense of otherness and distance from their former selves, making it easier for them to engage in violence and cruelty.
* Return to Civilization: At the end of the novel, the naval officer's arrival forces the boys to confront the reality of their actions. Their disheveled appearance, including their long, dirty hair, serves as a stark reminder of how far they have fallen from the civilized world they once knew. It underscores the profound impact of their experience on the island and the loss of innocence they have suffered.
In essence, Golding uses hair as a potent symbol of the boys' transformation from civilized schoolboys into savage hunters, reflecting their descent into primal instincts and the loss of order, reason, and morality.