Lord Of The Flies Essay Plan

Question -

Choose a novel in which symbolism plays an important role. Show how the author uses this technique over the course of the novel help us understand their characters and develop their theme.

Introduction

‘Lord of the Flies’ by William Golding is an example of a novel in which symbolism plays an important role. Golding uses the island as a microcosm of society, in order to explore the theme of evil. In this essay I will show how symbolism plays an important role in bringing his ideas to life.

The start of the novel / the conch

Symbolism is first employed at the beginning of the novel when Piggy and Ralph organise the first meeting.

• The conch – brings meeting to order; symbol of democracy and free speech
• Ralph and Piggy are initially at the centre of the island’s community; Ralph mocks Piggy, indicating that he does not value his contribution. He will realise, too late, that he needs Piggy’s intelligence

The choir

The emergence of Jack and the choirboys is highly symbolic and sets the tone for later chapters of the novel.

• Description of the ‘creature’: continued with the idea of the ‘beast’ later on
• Religious overtones – black cloaks suggest monks
• The boys represent the irrational forces of religion, superstition and violence

The character of Piggy

Piggy represents science and reason in the novel, and this is embodied by his spectacles

Physically unattractive, a ‘know it all’; lower class than the other boys

• Glasses can light fire in order to allow them to be rescued; however, the fire burns out of control, mirroring the nuclear war which has happened to the rest of the planet
• Poor eyesight is equivalent to lack of cunning – he is ‘blind’ to the way events will develop; does not see the hunters as a threat until it is too late
• The shelters symbolize the failure of Ralph and Piggy’s leadership to achieve civilisation – the boys would rather hunt and kill than build.

The beast / the murder of Simon

As the island descends into tyranny under the rule of Jack and finally murder, the ‘beast’ shows how the situation deteriorates.

• Ironic connection with the ‘creature’ image to describe the choirboys’ arrival
• Keeps the boys in fear, needing Jack’s leadership
• Simon is sceptical but finally he is murdered because he is mistaken for the beast
• Simon represents individuality and creativity – this cannot be allowed in Jack and Ralph’s violent society, so he is sacrificed
• Suggestion that he is a ‘Christ-like figure’, who is destroyed by a senseless mob

The death of Piggy

• Piggy’s death – killed by Roger’s stone; foreshadowed by Roger tormenting younger children with stones earlier on
• Roger has become Jack’s right-hand-man in the same way that Piggy was to Ralph – yet Roger is only interested in torture
• Gruesome – Piggy’s brains are splattered, suggesting the end of intellect and science
• Destruction of the conch – the end of civilisation

The climax

• Roger tortures Sam and Eric into revealing where Ralph has gone
• The soldiers show the contrast between an orderly society and a chaotic one
• Pessimistic ending to the novel –Ralph was unable to achieve a fair and peaceful society. He had neither the knowledge or experience to do this on his own, and his relationship with Piggy was not close enough for him to be able to use Piggy’s intelligence

Conclusion

I would therefore argue that Golding uses symbols to emphasise the failures of Ralph and Piggy’s leadership and the ascendancy of Jack and Roger. The book’s pessimistic tone contains a message that, without competent leadership, society descends into superstition and violence.

My comments

This was my favourite novel out of the ones I studied at school. It's based on a fascinating premise - is civilization necessary to stop us descending into paranoia and violence? At the heart of the action are the contrasting characters of Piggy, the voice of reason; Ralph, the natural leader; and Jack, the tyrant ready to take over.

All novels and plays contain symbolism. In 'Lord Of The Flies' the symbols are beautifully simple and easy to remember - sinister choirboys; the conch; Piggy's specs; and finally, when the conch and specs are replaced by stones, fires and spears.