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How Does Golding Present the Theme of Good Versus Evil in the Novel "Lord of the Flies"?

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How does Golding present the theme of good versus evil in the novel "Lord of the Flies"?

William Golding's novel "Lord of the Flies" is at first impression a dramatic adventure story about a group of boys stranded on an island, whilst being evacuated from a war-torn world. However to the perceptive reader a more meaningful level of Golding's "Lord of the Flies" emerges. The novel is designed as an allegory; to a get a warning across to mankind about what Golding called the "Essential sickness of mankind". The island acts as a microcosm for the outside world; the boys themselves convey the flaws and the evil that seems to thrive in the mind of mankind as a whole race in a more deep and abstract way. In the opening the chapter the …show more content…

Death is another interpretation for it as Ravens and various other birds by that colour are often portrayed as being associated with death. Roger in the novel is the representative for torture and sadistic pleasure. Roger is associated most definitively with evil and the quote, ‘Furtive boy,' is adding to the effect that Golding has created. The word ‘furtive' means secret, stealthy or sly, and roger seems to have an eerie silence and furtive manner around him. The quote ‘inner intensity of avoidance and secrecy' is another quote that describes Roger brilliantly, the word ‘intensity' makes me think of a sort of paranoia or silent violence about him and the ‘avoidance and secrecy' part really makes me think of a sickness that seems to thrive inside Roger especially. This sickness is what I think is the becoming of what Golding called "the essential sickness of mankind". A conflict between good and evil I think is most obviously at the end of the first chapter the quote said by Simon, "like candles. Candle bushes. Candle buds". This is an important insight into Simon's character; he appreciates nature and the beauty of everything around him. This beauty is cut away by Jack as said in the quote, "Slashed at one with his knife and the scent spilled over them". The language of the quote is harsh sounding and this really helps give the impression of an act hat doesn't seem to be

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