Lord Of The Flies By William Golding

William Golding–a pessimistic scholar who experienced first-hand the horrors capable of Mankind, embraced the fruits of his knowledge by crafting perhaps one of the most profound pieces of modern literature. Depicted through the audacious journey of a band of British school boys–gone disastrously wrong. Although Golding’s writing is often ambiguous and unprecise in conveying the conflicts within human nature, Golding is entirely successful in communicating the theme of power and conflict through his explicit implementation of characterization, setting, and symbolism.

When interpreting the characterization of the three most quintessential characters in Lord of the Flies that Golding has portrayed, many ideas arise through analyzing the various
The mountain–being one of the earliest platforms of setting, may be perceived as a stimulant of teamwork. “…So we must make smoke on top of the mountain. We must make a fire. A fire! Make a fire! At once half the boys were on their feet.” (Golding 30) Yet the mountain has proven none but being both a physical, and emotional barrier between those who seek the thrill of savagery, and those who seek to embrace “the majesty of adult life.”– “’Like kids!’ he said scornfully. ‘Acting like a crowd of kids!’” (Golding 30) The mountain acts as a shrine meant to pay respects for the island, which unsurprisingly, is exploited by the boys. And, in later chapters, is seen neglected, as it poses no purpose for the uncivilized life of animals. In the early chapters, the forest is depicted as a place of paradise– “…this is a good island”–(Golding 26) Yet-post chapter 4 may be interpreted as describing the forest to be a catalyst of chaos, facilitating the main savagery that occurs on the island. This is supported by the notion that ever since the plane crash formed a permanent “scar”, and the boys set the forest a-blaze, the forest seemed to seek vengeance upon the Boys’ ruthless and non-indigenous acts of destruction;
Therefore, his symbols may undoubtedly be used to strengthen and support the claim that Those who do not have power, and want it–will do anything to get it; thus causing conflict. Unlike other elements of symbolism–Golding engages the conch through a very easy-to-understand and essential manner–thus allowing it to be identified as a symbol of power; ideally used to counteract the threats of injustice found within human nature, but unfortunately, not without opposing conflict. This is also seen in the first pages of Lord of the flies, where the conch is hastily established as a force of unification, and in theory–those who wield it, bear the power to talk over others, besides of course…the leader. “I’ll give the conch to the next person to speak. He can hold it when he’s speaking… And he won't be interrupted. Except by me.” (Golding 25) This bond is short lived however, as a new force intervenes; a force named Jack– “Jack was the first to make himself heard. He had not got the conch and thus spoke against the rules; but nobody minded.” (Golding 75) As the book progresses, the definition of the so called conch is distorted and strayed from its original intention. And despite his denial of democracy seen as