Lord of the Flies | Symbols | William Golding

Summary

In the script, symbols like Piggy's glasses, the conch shell, the Lord of the Flies, war paint, and uncontrolled fire represent the loss of reason, civilization, inherent evil, the embrace of violence, and chaos, respectively. As the boys descend into savagery, these symbols illustrate their transformation from a structured society to one consumed by their inner darkness, culminating in a rescue that paradoxically arises from the chaos they create.

Takeaways

• 👓 Piggy's glasses symbolize reason and intelligence, and are essential for maintaining civilization among the boys.
• 🔥 The conch shell represents order and civilization, serving as a tool for structured communication.
• 🐷 The Lord of the Flies symbolizes the inherent evil within humanity, which can only be managed, not eradicated.
• 🎭 War paint is a metaphor for the boys' descent into violence, allowing them to shed their inhibitions.
• 🔥 Uncontrolled fire symbolizes chaos and the destructive power of the boys' inability to manage their inner evil.
• 👦 The breaking of Piggy's lens foreshadows the fragility of the boys' civilized state and the inevitable collapse into savagery.
• 🏞️ The rescue by the Navy at the end of the book is ironically facilitated by the very chaos and fire that the boys could not control.
• 👥 The loss of Piggy's glasses leads to a pivotal moment where Ralph, Sam, and Eric must retrieve them, highlighting their importance.
• 🌿 The conch shell also represents the union of nature and human civilization, emphasizing the boys' connection to the natural world.
• 👑 Jack's adoption of war paint, even outside of hunting, signifies his full embrace of his role as chief and his tribe's descent into violence.

Q & A

What do Piggy's glasses symbolize in the book?

Piggy's glasses symbolize reason and intelligence. They are an extension of Piggy, who is the wisest boy and insists on reason and logical sense.

How do Piggy's glasses connect to the theme of civilization?

The glasses are used to start a fire, which is a step towards reestablishing contact with the civilized, adult world. They drive much of the characters' movement in the story.

What does the stealing of Piggy's glasses represent?

The stealing of Piggy's glasses represents the end of reason and intelligence on the island, as well as the boys' descent into savagery.

How is the conch shell used in the story?

The conch shell is used as an instrument to hold to speak and provides structure for the meetings that Ralph holds, symbolizing civilization and order.

What does the pig's head, or the Lord of the Flies, represent?

The Lord of the Flies represents the evil within every person, which the author suggests cannot be escaped. It manifests in the form of communicating with Simon, who encounters the beast.

How does the war paint symbolize the boys' use of violence?

War paint acts as a mask that allows the boys to leave behind their inhibitions and indulge in violence without shame or self-consciousness.

What is the significance of Jack wearing war paint even when he's not hunting?

Jack wearing war paint even when he's not hunting signifies his growing embrace of violence and his transformation into the chief of his tribe.

How does uncontrolled fire symbolize chaos and evil in the book?

Uncontrolled fire symbolizes chaos and evil by consuming the boys and leading to tragic outcomes, such as the death of the little 'un and the eventual near-destruction of the island.

What foreshadows the boys' inability to control evil within themselves?

The death of the little 'un due to their inability to control fire foreshadows their inability to control the evil within them.

How does the second fire in the book lead to the rescue of the boys?

The second fire, set by Jack to hunt Ralph, ironically brings the Navy to the island, rescuing the boys from the chaos they created.

What does the dramatic irony in the second fire represent?

The dramatic irony in the second fire represents the unintended consequences of the boys' actions and how their descent into chaos ultimately leads to their salvation.