Lord of the Flies Symbolism
lies
Nicholas Montes
Ms. Moreno
English II HP, Period 3
14 March 2012
The Spell of the Hunt Symbolism is a tool used in novels we read everyday, but somehow, a good author can figure out way of sneaking this in every time. Finding the meaning of some symbols can be difficult, but William Golding, author of “Lord of the Flies” finds a balanced median, so that we, as the reader, can distinguish a symbol and it meaning. Although different readers could have different interpretations, each symbol and its meaning seems to be quite distinct in the personalities of the characters, While very many symbols are use in “Lord of the Flies”, there may be none more important that Piggy’s spectacles. The specs symbolize voice, reason, and logic; something needed to be kept in place on the boys’ island. Piggy’s specs are used for him to be able to see, much like the way the boys need to see reason and reality. Piggy begins to worry more about his glasses that anything else, perhaps wanted to hold on to the civilization he knows, loves, and is accustomed to. Golding’s story transitions seamlessly, presenting a new symbol, almost instantly. With the help of Piggy’s glasses, the boys are able to light a signal fire, atop the mountain. This fire is their only hope of being rescued. Without it, they have nothing to signal for help, or let anybody know where there are. When the fire goes unkept, and a plane flies over the island without taking notice of the boys, Ralph is outraged. This fire obviously means something to Ralph, who is longing to be rescued, while some of the others are beginning to think of the whole situation as some sort of a game. While hunting is necessary on the island to keep the boys in good health, the hunts soon become glorified by Jack. The hunts symbolize savagery, and are the new games that the boys play. The killing of a pig is celebrated with cheering, chants, and dances. Jack’s tribe is one of corrupt civilization. Some boys jump on the
Nicholas Montes
Ms. Moreno
English II HP, Period 3
14 March 2012
The Spell of the Hunt Symbolism is a tool used in novels we read everyday, but somehow, a good author can figure out way of sneaking this in every time. Finding the meaning of some symbols can be difficult, but William Golding, author of “Lord of the Flies” finds a balanced median, so that we, as the reader, can distinguish a symbol and it meaning. Although different readers could have different interpretations, each symbol and its meaning seems to be quite distinct in the personalities of the characters, While very many symbols are use in “Lord of the Flies”, there may be none more important that Piggy’s spectacles. The specs symbolize voice, reason, and logic; something needed to be kept in place on the boys’ island. Piggy’s specs are used for him to be able to see, much like the way the boys need to see reason and reality. Piggy begins to worry more about his glasses that anything else, perhaps wanted to hold on to the civilization he knows, loves, and is accustomed to. Golding’s story transitions seamlessly, presenting a new symbol, almost instantly. With the help of Piggy’s glasses, the boys are able to light a signal fire, atop the mountain. This fire is their only hope of being rescued. Without it, they have nothing to signal for help, or let anybody know where there are. When the fire goes unkept, and a plane flies over the island without taking notice of the boys, Ralph is outraged. This fire obviously means something to Ralph, who is longing to be rescued, while some of the others are beginning to think of the whole situation as some sort of a game. While hunting is necessary on the island to keep the boys in good health, the hunts soon become glorified by Jack. The hunts symbolize savagery, and are the new games that the boys play. The killing of a pig is celebrated with cheering, chants, and dances. Jack’s tribe is one of corrupt civilization. Some boys jump on the
Cited: Golding, William. Lord of the Flies. New York: Coward-McCann, 1962. Print. "Lord of the Flies." SparkNotes. SparkNotes. Web. 14 Mar. 2012. .