Lord Of The Flies Symbolism Essay

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Lord of the Flies
An author often shares his message to the reader through symbols. Lord of the Flies is a novel which consists of many symbols that are mentioned several times as they evolve throughout the novel. Some of the symbols used demonstrate how one could lose innocence and discipline. The conch, piggy’s glasses, ‘the beast’ and even the characters themselves are some of the major symbols used by Golding in the novel to show the affect of an environment on an individual. The title “Lord of the Flies” itself is also a symbol which represents the evil existing in mankind. There is no doubt that symbols play a major role and are a crucial element to the novel: making it a better read, they provide excitement and are mostly easy to recognize. The symbols are used to prove the author’s point: even the best of us turn into savages when it comes to survival and being free of law order.
The conch is one of the first symbols to appear; Piggy finds the conch on the beach and asks Ralph to blow in it in order to summon the boys after they are all spread out through the island. Piggy wishes to have been able to use the conch at first, but due to asthma, he is not able to, so Ralph is given the authority to do so. The conch automatically becomes a symbol of order and civilization: whoever holds it possesses power and authority. The conch later loses its power as the boys realize it doesn’t possess any true powers, therefore Jack gains popularity over Ralph.
Piggy’s glasses represent the scientific and intellectual power of the society he has been raised in. His glasses and the sun are used to start a fire for the boys, making his glasses represent some sort of knowledge and power. As piggy’s glasses go missing, the power is transmitted to Jack as he is the one now capable of starting a fire.
Another major symbol is the ‘beast’ which all the boys on the island fear. Simon comes to the conclusion that the ‘beast’ is an imaginary figure and only exists within themselves as the boys have become uncivilized savages. When discussing the beast, Simon says, “What I mean is…. Maybe it’s only us”. The boys laugh at his suggestion, but his words are central to the authors’ point that evil exists in humans.
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