Symbolism in “Lord of the Flies”
Introduction
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William Golding new "Lord of bottoms of Flies" in the depths of human nature and investigates thin veneer to civilization that masks our corresponding wildness. Through a bright vividness and powerful symbolics, Golding presents landing in chaos and loss of ethics actually, when the group of young boys goes aground on an unoccupied island. One of central and the deepest symbols in a short story is "Lord of Flies" directly, that presents a corresponding evil and darkness that lives within the limits of humanity.
The "Lord of the Flies" symbolizes the internal evil or the "beast" that resides within each individual. It is the embodiment of the boys' primal instincts, representing their descent into savagery. As fear and paranoia grip the boys, the beast takes on various forms, reflecting their own inner darkness. It appears as a snake-like figure, a beast from the sea, and ultimately, the severed pig's head impaled on a stick. This symbolizes the progressive corruption and degradation of their civilized values, as they succumb to their primal instincts and indulge in violence and cruelty.
Another crucial symbol in "Lord of the Flies" is the conch shell, which represents order, civilization, and democratic leadership. Initially, the boys respect the rules and authority symbolized by the conch. However, as chaos ensues, the conch loses its power and influence, paralleling the disintegration of democratic principles. The rise of Jack and his authoritarian rule, based on fear and violence, reveals the corrupting nature of power. The shift from the conch to the painted faces and the hunting chant signifies the transition from civility to savagery, demonstrating how power can lead individuals to abandon reason and morality.
The signal fire is a prominent symbol in the novel, representing the boys' connection to civilization and their hope of rescue. As the fire burns low or is neglected, it symbolizes the gradual loss of their desire to return to society. It reflects the waning hope and growing acceptance of their savage existence on the island. The fire's symbolic significance is further emphasized when the boys accidentally start a forest fire, inadvertently destroying their chances of rescue. This highlights their descent into barbarism and their increasing detachment from the constraints of society.
Transformation of boys from innocent children to the wild hunters underlines the theme of loss of virtue. Their gradual untangling of moral fabric symbolizes their physical appearance, marked dirt, paint, and by a wildness. Landing of boys' in a wildness and their participating in strong rituals, especially murder of Simona and Piglet, virtues and their bits and pieces present their loss to their primitive instincts. "Lord of Flies" serves as a haunting remark, that even children, in default of social norms, apt at their scope of internal darkness.
Conclusion
At "Lord of Flies," symbolics "Lord of Flies" directly, together with the second powerful symbols like, shell beast, fire, and loss of virtue, research strengthens the short stories of a bear wildness within the limits of humanity. Golding the skilled use of symbolics actually conveys too late report, that without tactfulness of civilization, humanity is vulnerable to his own destructive instincts.
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Symbolism in “Lord of the Flies”. (2023, Jul 18). Retrieved from https://phdessay.com/symbolism-in-lord-of-the-flies/
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