Data Bases • Custom Term Papers • Free Term Papers • Free Research Papers • Free Essays • Free Book Reports • Plagiarism? Links • Top 100 Term Paper Sites • Top 25 Essay Sites • Top 50 Essay Sites • Search 97,000 Papers @ DirectEssays.com • Search 101,000 Papers @ ExampleEssays.com • Search 90,000 Papers @ MegaEssays.com Free Essays • Term Paper Sites • Chuck III's Free Essays • Free College Essays • TermPaperSites.com • My Term Papers • Get Free Essays • Essay World • Planet Papers	Search Lots of Essays Back to Subjects - Book Reports Symbolism in Lord of the Flies Symbolism in Lord of the Flies In William Golding's Lord of the Flies, a novel that explores the depths of human nature, plot is irrelevant in comparison to the rich symbolism embedded in nearly all components of the story. The theme of the book is the destructive presence of evil as an influence to mankind, which lies within the breakdown of all order and common sense as a group of british boys stranded on a deserted island evolve into a pack of animalistic savages. The clues to this hidden theme behind the storyline are plentiful, as Golding uses a number of objects to represent certain ideologies and moral values. The first term used in the book that holds much symbolic value throughout the story is the usage of the word "scar" for the stretch of sandy beach that borders the thick jungle on the island. When the plane crashes on the lush island, it disrupts the balance and harmony of nature untouched by man's influence. The twisted wreckage of the plane creates an imperfection in the peacefulness of nature, and leaves the beach a "scar" of what it used to be - beautiful and unharmed by man's destructive impulse. Golding describes the natural surroundings of the island in lush, descriptive detail all throughout the book, beginning with an account of Ralph's proximity : "The shore was fledged with palm trees. These stood or leaned or reclined against the light and their green feathers were a hundred feet up in the air. The ground beneath them was a bank covered with grass, torn everywhere by the upheavals of fallen trees, scattered with decaying coconuts and palm saplings. Behind this was the darkness of the forest proper and the open space of the scar." (9-10) An object which also attains much symoblic relevance as the story unfolds is the conch shell. Delicate, fragile, and white, the conch is what brings the boys together on the first day at the beach. It is used throughout the story as an object of high importance and tradition, as it calls meetings together and determines who has the right to speak, depending on who is holding it at the time. It can be seen as a representation of law and order amongst the boys, as it unites them and prevents chaos from arising. As the book progresses, however, characters like Jack and his hunters put less and less importance in the sensibility and order in the concept of the conch, and finally disregard it altogether as chaos erupts over the island. This symbolizes the struggle of civilization and savagery, as Jack's hatred of Piggy and Ralph grows and he and his boys resort to primal urges like hunting and killing. An example of this can be seen in the discourse between Piggy and the rest of the boys near the end of the story : "I got this to say. You're acting like a crowd of kids." The booing rose and died again as Piggy lifted the white, magic shell. "Which is better - to be a pack of painted Indians like you are, or to be sensible like Ralph is?" A great clamor rose among the savages. Piggy shouted again. "Which is better - to have rules and agree, or to hunt and kill?" Again the clamor and again - "Zup!" Raplh shouted against the noise. "Which is better, law and rescue, or hunting and breaking things up?" Hence Jack and his hunters' disregard for the conch and Ralph and Piggy's common sensibility shows that they have become uncivilized and savage. Along with the concept behind the conch is the symbolism of the fire. It remains the boys' only means of rescue from the island, and can be seen as hope and also as the representation of common sense. Fire is a component of nature and a tool used by man for multiple purposes. The knowledge to create and use it effectively separates humans from animals. Therefore the creation of fire in the beginning of the story is representational of civilized thought. However, the concept of fire can be seen in yet a different light when it spreads out of control and burns down an enormous patch of trees - man's disruption of nature. Intelligence and reason are exemplified in Piggy's glasses. Piggy, a vastly intelligent little boy, can be separated from the rest because of his ability to think complexly. His glasses, which flash in the light when Piggy is concentrating, perplexed, or in danger, represent intellect and complex thought. Blinded without them, Piggy's spectacles play a key role in the developing of the story - they are the sole method of ignition of fire; and their slow deterioration as the book progresses represents the breakdown and degradation of intellect and Piggy's character. A major coincidence occurs at the end of the story when Piggy is killed by Jack and his hunters: "The rock struck Piggy a glancing blow from chin to knee; the conch exploded into a thousand white fragments and ceased to exist. Piggy, saying nothing, with no time for even a grunt, traveled through the air sideways from the rock, turning over as he went. The rock bounded twice and was lost in the forest. Piggy fell forty feet and landed on his back across the square red rock in the sea. His head opened and stuff came out and turned red. Piggy's arms and legs twitched a little bit, like a pig's after it has been killed. Then the sea breathed again in a long, slow sigh, the water boiled white and pink over the rock; and when it went, sucking back again, the body of Piggy was gone. (181) When the conch dies, so does Piggy. This can be interpreted as Golding's view that reason is eliminated when law and order is destroyed. In Lord of the Flies Golding's overall view towards society seems to be that each individual should contribute towards the harmonious operation of society, or else destruction is iminent. The symbolism throughout the book carries the weight of Golding's views toward moral corruptedness and the darkness of a man's heart, that evil can be present in every situation and can erupt into chaos and the ultimate breakdown of society. Although somewhat disguised as an adventure novel at a first glance, the book should not be taken at face value. Complex and serious themes are hidden behind the symbolism present everywhere in the book. Bibliography: Word Count: 1071
Copyright © 2005 College Term Papers, INC All Rights Reserved.