No doubt that as you read through Lord of the Flies, you were aware of the obvious use of symbolism Golding incorporated into the text. But what do they mean, and how does the understanding of these symbols help to gain a greater sense of the meaning of the text as a whole? Let's first look at some of the symbols: fire, the conch shell, the island, and Piggy's glasses. At the start of the novel Piggy's specs are clear and he is described as wiping them off early in the story. The clarity of Piggy's glasses is reflective of the clarity in thought of the boys. The older boys realize the need for rules, order, and some sort of system to manage the basic needs necessary for survival on the island. The glasses also serve a purpose in their use for creating fire. The glasses become less clear as the story progresses, and are eventually smashed, as is the "government" the boys establish. (For those of you who haven't read the ending, I won't tell you what happens to them at the end of the story).
What do you think the other symbols in the story might represent? What about the boys - what qualities do each represent? Are these reflective of roles in society? What other objects become symbols in the story?
I think that the pigs represent the boys' humanity. At the begining of the book none of the boys could kill the pig and therefore they still had there humanity. Then Jack kills a pig and therefore lost his humanity. Finally Ralph tries to kill a pig but fails. This means that he was on the boarder of losing his humanity. He finally had to choose to keep it or not. He choose to keep it.
ReplyDeleteJack represents the power hungry, but weak members of society. Ralph represents the strong, humble members that refuse to be corrupted even when it's easier. Roger is the senseless and violent lunatic that represents the heartless savages waging war. Piggy is the intellect outcast member of society.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Crystal. I think that the pigs show a sense of sanity in the boys. At the beginning of the story the boys are not as effected by their environment and so they are more sensible. Once they start killing the pigs that represents the loss of these traits.
ReplyDeleteRalph represents the leader, he takes charge and works toward order, survival, and rescue. Piggy is the smart but ignored one. He is wise and assists Ralph when he is able to. Jack is strong-willed, violent, and above all desires ultimate power. Simon represents the good in society. He is moral and able to understand that there is no beast, it's just the evil lurking inside each of them.
ReplyDeleteContinuing on Brittany's comment, Simon is an interesting character in the novel. Simon breaks down and begins having hallucinations, resulting in his conversation with the "Lord of the Flies" that reveals that there is no beast. Despite discovering the truth about the "beast" and the nature of the boys on the island, it took a nervous breakdown and a hallucination for him to realize that. Since we're using this book to analyze different aspects of society, styles of government, and society as a whole, what does it say about ourselves that it took a conversation with a the severed head of a pig for Simon to realize the truth about the beast? Does it take a delusional meltdown for someone to suddenly become a rational thinker? It's scary to think that after everything Simon went through, he still is the character that represents the good in society. I think he represents the schizophrenia and paranoia in society.
ReplyDeleteThe boys could be a symbol for society itself. Their isolation without government turned to chaos. It is like a comment on anarchy and the nature of humans to sin. It's an argument that the majority of people (Like the majority of the boys) will turn to chaos and violence when not faced with the punishment of law. Also, it is a comment that if a political leader (Represented by Jack)can offer instant gratification most people will follow blindly and ignore all logic and morals. (Like a dictator in a poor country) Ralph, along with some other boys that refused to follow blindly, is like the few that would resist such a leader. Often though, like in Lord of the Flies, they are in the minority and must struggle to hold on to their values when faced with the enemy. I found the adults in the very end that scorned the children for behaving like that were like the people that believe humans are inherently good. They refused to believe that desperation could make them act in that kind of way.
ReplyDeleteI see Ralph as being like a president kind of person. He is the leader of the group at the beginning. Piggy is like the Independent Party in political campaigns because they never win but some people still listen to them...on occasion. Jack, I can see as being a Hitler/Stalin type of person. He is out for control and is very violent. He will do anything to have superior control over the rest of the boys. Simon is the most understanding boy in the group. He realizes that there is no bad thing around them, it's the bad qualities of the boys coming out.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with Christine with the boys representing society. Due to there being no discipline, the boys didn't do as they were told because there were no immediate consequences for their actions. All there were were rules, but no source of punishment to keep everyone on task to stay alive on the tropical island, waiting to be rescued. With no discipline, all went to chaos.
ReplyDelete