Final answer:
The student's question addresses the use of disguises as a tool for boys to engage in savagery without shame. Examples include literal masks or uniforms that afford anonymity and encourage primal instincts, as famously depicted in literature like 'Lord of the Flies'.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject of this question pertains to the concept of a disguise that allows individuals, specifically boys in this context, to feel unashamed of their aggressive and primitive behavior, referred to as 'savagery.' The idea of disguise serving as a means to facilitate or excuse base instincts is a common theme in literature, often highlighting the duality of human nature and the thin veneer of civilization.
Disguises can take many forms, from the literal, such as masks and costumes, which obscures identity, to the metaphorical, such as the adoption of certain roles or personas that allow individuals to act in ways that would otherwise be socially unacceptable.
Examples can be found in literature where characters put on masks or change their appearances to liberate them from societal expectations and to act upon their more primal instincts. For instance, in William Golding's 'Lord of the Flies', the boys' use of face paint serves as a powerful symbol of this very concept. It provides them a separation from their own identities, allowing them to commit acts they would otherwise be ashamed of.
Another example is the use of uniforms or outfits that signify certain roles, conferring upon the wearers a sense of anonymity or collective identity that may make it easier to engage in brutal or aggressive acts. This can be seen in contexts ranging from military uniforms to sports team jerseys. In all these cases, the superficial change in appearance can dramatically affect behavior and perception.