Shahana Behbahany
4-26-09 Per 3A
Mrs. Shifman 10H
Word Count: 1,004
Symbolism Essay: Lord Of The Flies
In the novel Lord Of The Flies, written by William Golding, symbolism occurs throughout much of the novel. There are many different objects, characters, and events which help represent various concepts in some of the themes. Throughout the novel, a group of boys must survive on their own after being stranded on an island. With no contact with civilization, the beast within them is unleashed and all traces of humanity have been forgotten. The conch shell, the Beast, the Lord of the Flies, and the signal fire are all objects of symbolism which reflect on the main themes of the novel: the loss of innocence and civilization versus barbarity.
In the beginning of the novel, Ralph and Piggy discover a conch shell which they use to call upon all of the boys on the island. Seen as an object of power, the shell also helps direct the boys’ meetings because whoever holds the shell has permission to speak. As a symbol of order and civilization, the conch shell keeps the boys in restraint from trying to overpower one another. As their time on the island progresses, however, the conch shell begins to lose its power and no longer has an impact on the boys. This loss symbolizes the transition of civilization to barbarity. What was once seen as power and order, now the conch shell is nothing but a mere object, just like civilization was once a guideline for the boys, but is now viewed as nothing more than a distinct way of life.
The Essay on Boys Fire Conch Piggy
... leads to. Above all others though comes symbolism of three main important objects being the conch, fire, and? Piggy? s? eyeglasses. Through each ... of civilization and rules. One example is when there is disorder because everyone I talking at once. ? Conch, that? s what the shell ... like one of the real pigs. This shows how the boys? on the island are actually destroying themselves by destroying every ...
Another object of symbolism includes the signal fire. The signal fire is a fire that is on top of a mountain and its purpose is to attract passing ships or airplanes in hopes of being rescued. The fire is the boys’ only tie to civilization, but throughout the novel, the fire begins to burn dimmer, and eventually burns out. Much like the conch shell, this symbolizes the boy’s complete loss of civilization. As their lives progress on the island, they are only becoming more and more like savages; rules, order, teamwork, and humanity is lost.
The Lord of the Flies is the is the bloody, severed sow’s head in which Jack stabs on a stake as an offering to the beast. As a title and a symbol in the novel Lord Of The Flies, this detached head represents the boys’ loss of innocence. When the head allegedly speaks to Simon, it tells him that there is sin and wickedness in everyone. As once a respectful, kind, obedient young boy, he, along with all of the other boys, is becoming more and more corrupt the longer he stays on the island. All of them are losing their purity and innocence.
Another animal that has a major impact on the boys’ life on the island is the Beast. Although it is imaginary, it still has a powerful influence on each character. As the savage inside the boys grows, so does the belief of the beast. This is yet another symbolization of the theme, the loss of innocence. The more and more the fear of the beast grows, the more barbarous they become; therefore the less innocent they are.
During the novel, symbolization has signified a lot of the main themes in the novel, Lord Of The Flies. One of the major themes is civilization versus barbarity. The conch shell and the signal fire are both representations of this theme because they symbolize the boys’ loss of civilization and the new path they have taken: savagery. Another main theme in the novel Lord Of The Flies is the loss of innocence. The painting their faces and the Lord of the Flies are symbols within the novel which reflect this theme. As the boys become more and more savage like, they are starting to lose their incorruptibility . As once young, polite, and disciplined gentlemen, theses boys have now turned into cruel, barbaric hunters who are slowly killing off one another.
The Essay on Analysis Themes And Issues Lord Of The Flies
... in a literary work. Lord of the Flies is a thought provoking novel, the main theme being the fact that ... all these from Jacks actions: he lets the fire out, (therefore letting go of hope of rescue ... crimes and that he is innocent.In reality, the loss of identity is also present. For instance, a ... personalities of Ralph and Jack and the other boys. Mr.Golding slowly unfolds a sequence of events that ...
