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What Does The Fire Symbolize In Lord Of The Flies

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What Does The Fire Symbolize In Lord Of The Flies
The author William Golding creates symbols throughout the novel Lord of the flies that contribute to weather humans are good or evil. Golding’s symbols effect each character immensely.
Leadership, hope, and darkness all are symbols to the novel. The conch, being one the first symbols introduced in the novel contributes to both good and evil. leadership builds a society but also tears everyone apart. The fire, representing hope, an important resource and symbol to the novel, is needed for both the evil and good characters both physically and mentally. The beast contributes to evil because it represents darkness. In the novel, all the boys are affected by the beast mentally. William
Golding states, “I’d seen enough to realize that every single of us could be Nazis” this
…show more content…
The boys use the fire for different necessities. The fire contributes to the bad characters by providing smoke to hurt others but fire also contributes to the good characters by creating smoke as a signal to also symbolize their hope to leave the island. The fire can be portrayed helpful yet dangerous and the beast in a way can too. The beast is also a dangerous symbol in Lord of the flies. It symbolizes evil and unexpected corruption the boys’ innocence and it is shown by darkness. For example, the quote “What they might become in darkness nobody cared to think” (130 Golding) shows how corruption is taking place. The boys slowly turn darker without realizing it. The boys quickly blame their problems on the beast and use the beast as a threat for power. Simon meets the beast and it speaks of the darkness it brings to the island and the boys it will corrupt. The boys noticeably begin to turn savage because of the beast and they can’t escape it. the beast says, “’I’m part of you? Close, close, close! I’m the reason why its no go? Why things are the way they are?’” (Golding 143) which explains the beast admitting to the darkness brought to the

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