FREE ESSAY ON LORD OF THE FLIES

LORD OF THE FLIES

Lord of the Flies 
Cruelty and savagery are all parts of human life. When the reigns of civilization are
lifted, cruelty and savagery are left alone to roam freely. William Golding expresses the
need for civilized order to maintain the cruel savage beast in us all. In Golding's Lord
of the Flies, the theme of discovering one's true self is displayed through object
symbolism, analytical symbols of the cruel tribe and beast, and analysis of key character
symbols. 
The use of object symbolism develops the structure and meaning of the novel. The symbolic
meaning of certain items in the novel provide a degree of certainty of what the theme
pertains to. An example of object symbolism is noted in the large conch shell. The shell
symbolizes order and civilization due to its power to create order through organizing
meetings. The conch also symbolizes destruction of order once Roger crushes it beneath a
boulder. The act of destroying the shell provides an illustration of how uncivilized the
island has become. Another example of object symbolism is depicted in the signal fires
that Ralph sternly suggests should exist. These fires symbolize a hope for rescue and a
return to order and civilization. Once Jack, who is in charge of the fire, shuns the
importance of a signal fire, it then symbolizes lost hope. Once Piggy suggests reigniting
the fire it then symbolizes a restoration of hope. Another portrayal of Golding's object
symbolism exists in Piggy's spectacles. The spectacles symbolize comfort and
dependability due to their fire creating capabilities. Soon power to create fire is
prevalent due to the lack of fire making ability of Jack's tribe. Once Jack's tribe takes
the glasses the glasses then symbolize a shift in power. A further depiction of object
symbolism is noted in the appearance of the naval officer toward the end of the novel.
The officer symbolizes home, but the symbol is ironic in the fact that the officer is
taking the boys from a war torn island to a war torn country. The appearance of object
symbolism establishes the theme of looking inside one's true soul and describes the
biblical battle between good and irrational evil. 
The establishment of Jack's tribe and the systematic accounts of the beast provide
further evidence of a theme of the introduction to one's true self. Jack's tribe and fear
of the beast contribute to the overwhelming belief that savagery, not order, and is
needed to survive on the island. A description of this is noted in the behavior of Jack's
tribe. The tribe symbolizes total disarray and cruelty, which is exhibited in their
treatment of fellow man. The boy's derive pleasure from their bloody slaughter of the
pigs. The boys paint their faces and join in savage war dances to satisfy the bloodlust
they desire. The tribe continually terrifies the little boys on the beach and takes what
Jack commands. Another portrayal of the savagery of the tribe is exhibited in Roger.
Roger pretends to be a pig while the others attack almost killing him due to their being
overcome by frenzied blood lust. Another section of the novel that creates symbolism is
found in the hunted pigs and beast. The dead pig, for example, creates an overflow of
wild emotion in the tribe. For instance, the boys chant a warlike song and carry the
carcass of a pig. Another example is noted once the pig's sharp tusks wound Jack. This
action causes a change in Jack and promotes more brutality. The brutality by Jack and the
allegiance of his followers cause Jack to become god-like. An example of this is
symbolically noted in the pig's head on a stake. The symbolic pig's head is Jack's
beastlike nature while the flies around it are his followers who swarm about his
appealing actions. All of Jack's power resides in the fear of a beast on the island. An
example of this fear is noted in the tribe's beating and killing of Simon. The tribe's
irrational fear causes them to act in a manner that supports Jack's position of warlike
protection. Another example of Jack's control by fear is depicted in his denouncing
Ralph's leadership and demanding he be the leader to fight the beast. The existence of a
beast supports Jack's claim to leadership and tribal status. The tribe forms in the face
of fear, but the real beast in the novel is Jack and his tribe. 
A further supporter of the theme is seen in the characters of Piggy and Simon. The two
characters represent two major states of human existence. Piggy for example represents
knowledge and rational thinking. An illustration of this is noted in Piggy's disgust in
the immaturity of the other boys. Due to Piggy's knowledgeable account of the others, the
reader may expect the other boys to foolishly follow Jack. An example of Piggy's rational
thinking is portrayed within his suggestions for the situation. It was Piggy who decides
to build huts and it is Piggy who decides to relight the signal fire after Jack abandons
it. Because of Jack's disregard for Piggy's advice one can gather that Jack's character
disregards knowledge. Another character that provides insight into the theme is Simon.
Simon represents insight and wisdom. An example of Simon's insight is illustrated in his
assurance to Ralph of their rescue. Simon's confidence keeps Ralph's hope alive and
delivers a rebirth of civility. Another example of Simon's insight is noted in his
knowledge of the identity of the beast. Simon discovers the beast to be a dead
parachuter. Upon discovering the beast, Jack unexpectedly kills Simon and together with
his death dies the insight of the beast. Jack destroys knowledge and insight and in the
process takes on the persona of the beast. 
The theme in Lord of the Flies of insight into one's soul is developed through object
symbolism, symbolism of the tribe and beast, and symbolism depicted in characters. The
cruelty that humans are capable of is seen in everyday life. The cruelty that humans are
capable of in the absence of order is petrifying to the fact that everyone can display
their beast without consequences. 
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