FREE ESSAY ON LORD OF THE FLIES

LORD OF THE FLIES

In most books, the authors use symbolism to expand the novel beyond its literal meaning.
Symbolism is used to represent or foreshadow the theme of the story. As one reads William
Golding's classic novel, Lord of the Flies, he will begin to recognize the way basic
civilization is slowly stripped away from the boys. In this novel, the author utilizes
many elements of symbolism to help accomplish his message, which is man is basically
evil. 
In Lord of the Flies, Golding uses signal fire not only to rescue the characters from
corruption and evil, but also to symbolize common sense. The boys, who are stranded on an
island, create fire, attempting to contact boats out on the sea. They use the fire to
signal to the boats that are out on the ocean for assistance. In the beginning, the boys
are eager to leave the uninhabited island, so they try their best to make the signal
fire. Also, the author reveals that the boys desire to depart from the island because
they are afraid that they will turn into savages; the boys fear that savagery will cause
them to kill other innocent people. 
Life became a race with the fire and the boys scattered through the upper forest. To keep
clean flag of flame flying on the mountain was the immediate end and no one looked
further. Even the smallest boys, unless fruit claimed them, brought little pieces of wood
and threw them in. (129) 
As time progresses, savagery becomes more evident in the boys' behavior. When Jack steals
Piggy's specs, the only hope of lighting the fire is destroyed: the specs are the only
way to start the fire. Thus, the boys cannot be rescued from the island.  We [cannot]
keep one fire going. And they don't care. And what is more, I don't sometimes.  (139)
With the loss of the fire, common sense is also lost and savagery prevails.
In attempting to rescue themselves from savagery, the boys also face a dilemma of saving
themselves from the beast. Because they have heard dreadful stories about the beast, the
boys are intimidated by it. However, they do not realize that the beast is the evil that
resides within themselves. The boys are, all aware that such a beast exists, but none of
them realize, except Simon, that it lies within them. The beast also symbolizes savagery.
A beast represents a wild, cruel animal, and humans are also beasts since they have an
innate animal instinct within themselves. In the story, the author mentions how the beast
is a hunter and [people cannot] kill it. (126) The beast apparently cannot be eradicated
because it is the id part of human beings. Also because Simon represents the conscience
of human beings, he reminds the boys that the [beast is] only us, (89)
The conch, being a symbol of high hand and authority, is used to call meetings and to set
laws throughout the island. People need civilization. They require laws and rules within
their lives; the restrictions bring structure and order to an otherwise chaotic
lifestyle. Without laws, civilization ceases to exist because then, humans return to a
primitive state of savagery. The conch is the only connection that the boys have with the
real world of rules. Otherwise, they would be running around uncontrolled. However, the
conch ensures that there is some sort of moderation in the boys' lives. The island is
savage wilderness where civilization is nowhere to be seen. Thus, the boys require some
sort of reminder, a check that will keep them at bay. But when the destruction of the
conch is made the authority on the island is gone and Ralph is left to fend for himself.

In Lord of the Flies, Golding utilizes many elements of symbolism to attain his message,
which is "man is basically evil." This is recognized by first showing how the signal
fires represents the rescue from corruption and how the signal fire is slowly
extinguished. Furthermore, the beast represents the beast within the children. The beast
that will bring out the savagery in the children. Finally, the conch is symbolizes the
way civilization is the law and rule that will dominate throughout the island, but when
the conch is destroyed so is civilization therefore bring out the savagery. In life
savagery is something that one cannot hide. Savagery is a scary thing that can cause
destruction to one another, or even to oneself.