The Usage of Symbolism in Lord of the Flies Essay examples

In this passage, we see Ralph, the chief of the island, wishing that he is able to think like Piggy because, as chief, he needs to be able make smart decisions, like Piggy is able to do. In the beginning of the novel, Piggy’s glasses represent intelligence. However, later in the novel, after they are broken, they represent how power has the ability to corrupt people, especially Jack Merridew. The glasses also symbolize power because they have the ability to create fire which represents life and independence. Therefore, whoever wields the power of the glasses also has the ability to survive without anyone's help. This power is something that Jack desires and seeks throughout the novel. For example, when Prometheus gave fire to the humans in Greek Mythology, he was tortured and had his liver pecked out every day by a crow for doing so because fire symbolized light and independence from the gods. This passage takes place right after the brutal attack by Jack and his hunters on Ralph’s crew, “Piggy drew his legs. ‘You

The narrator shows how Piggy wants the boys to be involved in their government ideas with quotes like,“I take the conch to say that I can’t see without my glasses and I have to get them back” (192). Piggy’s glasses represent intelligence

The theft of Piggy’s glasses demonstrates that the selfish and savage side of human nature can appropriate scientific knowledge and advances for less-than-worthy purposes. Next, when Jack and the other boys kill a pig and the signal fire goes out, Ralph and Piggy try to confront

The next thing that shows up in the story that has very importance as a symbol is the conch. Piggy and Ralph were walking around the island looking for others, when they see a pink shell shimmering in the water. Piggy recalled the shell as one he had seen used as an instrument. Upon seeing this, he picked it up, handed it to Ralph, the leader figure, and told him to blow. As he did this a noise was produced so that it carried itself across the island, drawing all the other boys to it's sound. This use of the conch is the first to demonstrate it's symbolism as authority.

The conch is a symbol of democratic power at the beginning of the story. First, it is used to gather the boys. Ralph blows the conch to assemble them

At the beginning of the story, the conch symbolizes authority and power, but more in a presidential way, rather than a dictator, where people fear the leader. When Ralph calls island meetings, he lets the other boys talk and engage in the conversation, similar to a council meeting. When Ralph shares his voice with the others, it makes the boys feel like they belong and makes the island more efficient to survive on. In the middle of the novel Lord of the Flies, the conch represents leadership over the others, identical to the beginning. Because the conch symbolizes so much power, Jack and Ralph debate over who gets to be the leader, resulting in rebellious actions later in the book.

Symbols and characters play major roles in representing power in works of literature. Therefore, an author uses these ‘symbols of power’ to control the characters and the overall course of the work. In Lord of the Flies symbols are both used by the characters and stand on their own. Fire on the island is a dual blade and Lord of the Flies impedes on progression. While these two symbols stand on their own, the characters use and are used by them. Ralph leads the boys to advancement while Jack stands as his opposition, both using other symbols of power to assist them.

Piggy was upset and wanted to go with Jack and Simon to figure out if they were on an island, but Ralph told him he was not good for a job like that, and for him to stay behind to watch the littluns. Piggy also stood up for a littlun when the littlun held out his hands for the conch to have permission to speak. Piggy said, “Let him have the conch!” “Let him have it” (Golding p.35). As the littlun spoke, Piggy interpreted that he saw a beastie, a snake-like thing in the woods that came at night and blended in with ropes hanging in the trees in the morning. This represented evil. Furthermore, the boys are more interested in teasing Piggy, because of his disabilities than listening to his suggestions. Piggy’s glasses become an iconic object for his character. Glasses are associated with learning and reading; likewise Piggy is one of the more civilized

In the very beginning the conch is used to bring all of the boys in the story together. Ralph blows it and they come. This is the first sign of its power. The boys have been lost and now there is this thing, much like a school bell, calling them to be brought together. It has brought order to this strange place in which they are stranded.

In Chapter two Ralph says,” we can’t all speak at once I’ll give because to the next person to speak”. This is where the conch plays a role in the there life. Ralphs trying to gain equality on the island by giving everyone

William Golding’s The Lord of the Flies has many displays of symbolism, including Piggy’s glasses, the conch and the signal-fire. Piggy's glasses are a crucial part of the book, as they keep on being broken and stolen because it is the only way the boys and make fire. Piggy himself is a very shy and timid person, he is called a follower many times in the book, but when the time comes he stands up and says very logical things. When Piggy does not have his glasses, he is useless because he cannot see. The effect that the specs have on the boys is tremendous. The boys become savages and even kill Piggy for the glasses. At the start of the novel Piggy's specs embody the qualities of logic and reason, but as the novel progresses, However, they

Traces of shifts in Piggy’s sight are explicit throughout the text, as they increasingly hint at conflicts that are on the rise

Symbolism is the use of an object that represents an idea or theme. In some novels, a character is the strongest and most important symbol there can be. Within William Golding’s novel, Lord of the Flies, it is clear that the character Simon is the most impactful symbol. In the novel, a group of boys from the age of 6-12 crash land on a island with no adults during the time period of WWII. the boys struggle to try and rebuild society.

The Conch is a symbol of enlightened sight and democracy on the island. Conch is used to gather people, giving rights to speak, and calling assembly. Giving everyone a chance to speak and to talk through when there is a problem. The Conch gave Ralph authority and power. Ralph kept the kids under control, however, this did not last long.

As time passed on, William Golding changes the significant meaning of all the symbols. William Golding's book, Lord of the Flies, took young English school boys and places them on a deserted island. Where they have to work together to survive. Overtime, a beast lurking within the darkness will eventually show the evil within all the boys creating chaos on the island. Lord of the Flies introduces the symbols the conch as government, the fire as hope and Piggy’s glasses as technology and intellect and throughout the book symbols continue to change.