Use of Symbolism in Golding's Lord of the Flies

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Use of Symbolism in Golding's Lord of the Flies

Lord of the Flies, a suggestive name for the Devil, a devil whose name proposes that he is devoted to decay, destruction, demoralization and panic, exactly what William Golding had in mind when using symbolism in this novel. The Lord of the Flies (1954), is a novel in which interpretating the symbols are a main key to not only understanding, but also enjoying the novel. After tying many of the symbols together, you can figure out more about what the author is trying to depict, the overall scene.

This story takes place during World War II on a deserted island. After a plane, transporting about a dozen young boys, gets shot down, they are trapped on an island without any adults. Throughout a few week period, they become separated through many difficult, and trying times. Each character and object that is frequently used, are symbols that represent a small part in the big picture. Through the symbols, the author portrays what each boy contributes, or burdens, the island with during their struggle to escape.

The first thing I encountered and saw as a symbol when reading, was the island itself. This island had become their world. For as long as they were been on that island, that was the only thing they had, the only thing they knew. It was a world free from adults, laws and civilized society and full of responsibility. This set the picture of the boys, having to learn to survive by themselves, and shows you how important it is that they all come together. Ralph is a fairly quiet twelve year old with blond hair, and is the most influential of the group. He is the first one William talked about in the book. He was presented as a logical boy, and as the story progresses, you ...

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... light the fire again later, You should have been with us. We had a smashing time" (69).

This fire, their only hope of getting off the island, escaping this world, was out and there was no way for Ralph to start it. He was the only one who was sound enough to use the fire to get off, and the tribe had stolen it from him. While all this built up and eventually turned into a war, the anarchy of the world actually freed them from what they had been living. When rebellion and chaos had tried to catch order and destroy it, they started a fire, a new hope, that saved them from the island.

Interpretating and understanding these characters and objects as symbols, bring a whole new light to the novel. As you read this, or any other story, let it get inside your head a little and try to find out if there's a Devil, one devoted to decay, destruction and demoralization.

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