Lord of the Flies
Lord of the Flies Have you ever wondered how a group of boys would survive on an island? In William Golding’s novel Lord of the Flies published in 1954, Golding uses characterization, diction, and imagery to create vivid scenarios in which a tribe of boys undergo tremendous change after finding themselves stranded. Through the boy's actions and reactions, towards each other and events, we uncover true human nature.
Ralph, the central character, represents leadership and equality. He is elected chief, and when he and Piggy find the conch shell, they use it to create a democracy. Ralph is also the one that goes to look for the beast (even though he’s scared), to help the group.
Jack directly represents evil and the desire for power which contrasts with Ralph. When Jack kills the pregnant female sow, we see his ignorance and unwillingness to change. Killing off the sow is symbolic of destroying the future. Jack takes control of his own tribe, and his actions bring about the murder of innocence. That innocence was embodied by Simon and Piggy, and destroyed as a direct result of Jack’s actions. Another key character is Roger; he is Jack’s right hand hit man and enforces Jack’s rules. He is cruel and savage. We see the change in environment on the island parallel and foreshadow what events occur with the boys. For example, the forest starts out healthy with pigs and fruit trees, but they consume their resources and burn down the forest.
The symbolism of the fire represents hope when they first come to the island because they want to be rescued, and it is also a contrast to the darkness, or evil, that descends on the island. The conch is another important symbol, representing a civilized society, but after it is destroyed and they stop following the rules, the boys turn into savages.
Development of the beast directly parallels the darkness of the devil. Early on in the novel we learn of the beast. It is a creature that scares the children and embodies the evil
Ralph, the central character, represents leadership and equality. He is elected chief, and when he and Piggy find the conch shell, they use it to create a democracy. Ralph is also the one that goes to look for the beast (even though he’s scared), to help the group.
Jack directly represents evil and the desire for power which contrasts with Ralph. When Jack kills the pregnant female sow, we see his ignorance and unwillingness to change. Killing off the sow is symbolic of destroying the future. Jack takes control of his own tribe, and his actions bring about the murder of innocence. That innocence was embodied by Simon and Piggy, and destroyed as a direct result of Jack’s actions. Another key character is Roger; he is Jack’s right hand hit man and enforces Jack’s rules. He is cruel and savage. We see the change in environment on the island parallel and foreshadow what events occur with the boys. For example, the forest starts out healthy with pigs and fruit trees, but they consume their resources and burn down the forest.
The symbolism of the fire represents hope when they first come to the island because they want to be rescued, and it is also a contrast to the darkness, or evil, that descends on the island. The conch is another important symbol, representing a civilized society, but after it is destroyed and they stop following the rules, the boys turn into savages.
Development of the beast directly parallels the darkness of the devil. Early on in the novel we learn of the beast. It is a creature that scares the children and embodies the evil