William Golding's "Lord of the Flies" is a powerful allegorical... Show more
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Caitlin West
05/04/2023
English Literature
Context - Lord of the flies
511
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5 Apr 2023
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Discover the Allegorical Meaning of Lord of the Flies and Its Symbols
Caitlin West
@caitlinwestx
Symbols and Themes in Lord of the Flies
"Lord of the Flies" is rich with symbolism and thematic depth, each element carefully chosen to reinforce the novel's central ideas about human nature and society. The story's progression from order to chaos is mirrored in the deterioration of the boys' appearance and behavior, as well as in the symbolic objects that populate their island world.
Highlight: The title "Lord of the Flies" is a literal translation of Beelzebub, a name often used to refer to the devil, underscoring the novel's exploration of evil.
Key themes developed in the novel include:
- The inherent evil in human nature
- The necessity of civilization and social order to control humanity's darker impulses
- The capacity for both good and evil within individuals
- The corruption of innocence
These themes are explored through various symbols and motifs:
Vocabulary: Symbols are objects, characters, figures, or colors used to represent abstract ideas or concepts. Motifs are recurring elements that have symbolic significance in a story.
- The conch shell: Represents order, democracy, and civilized discussion. Its destruction symbolizes the complete breakdown of civilization on the island.
- Piggy's glasses: Symbolize intelligence, reason, and the power of science. Their theft and destruction represent the triumph of savagery over rationality.
- The beast: An imaginary monster that embodies the boys' fears and the evil within themselves.
- The signal fire: Represents the boys' connection to civilization and their hope for rescue. Its neglect signifies their descent into savagery.
- The Lord of the Flies : A physical manifestation of the beast and a symbol of the evil that lurks within all humans.
Example: The pristine island, initially described as a paradise, becomes corrupted by the boys' presence, mirroring the fall from innocence in the biblical Garden of Eden.
Golding also employs several motifs throughout the novel, including biblical parallels and the corruption of pristine places. These recurring elements reinforce the allegorical nature of the story and its universal themes.
Quote: "Ralph wept for the end of innocence, the darkness of man's heart, and the fall through the air of the true, wise friend called Piggy." - This quote encapsulates the novel's themes of lost innocence and the revelation of humanity's capacity for evil.
The novel's treatment of its most vulnerable characters, particularly Piggy and Simon, serves as a critique of society's tendency to marginalize or victimize those who are different or weak. This aspect of the story adds depth to its allegorical meaning, suggesting that a society's moral worth can be judged by how it treats its most vulnerable members.
Lord of the Flies: An Allegorical Masterpiece
William Golding's "Lord of the Flies" stands as a seminal work in 20th-century literature, offering a chilling exploration of human nature through its allegorical narrative. Published in 1954, this novel draws heavily on Golding's experiences during World War II and his subsequent disillusionment with humanity's capacity for evil.
Highlight: William Golding was a British novelist who fought in the Royal Navy during World War II and participated in the D-Day invasion of Normandy in 1944.
The novel's setting is crucial to understanding its themes. Set in the 1950s during a fictional atomic war, it reflects the anxieties of the post-World War II era. The story begins with a plane crash on an uninhabited island, leaving a group of British schoolboys as the sole survivors. This premise allows Golding to strip away the veneer of civilization and examine how these young boys attempt to govern themselves in isolation.
Example: The evacuation of children during World War II, particularly the tragic sinking of a British ship carrying evacuees in 1940, likely influenced Golding's choice of protagonists.
The allegorical meaning of Lord of the Flies becomes apparent as the boys' attempts at creating a civilized society gradually descend into savagery. This decline serves as a microcosm for broader human society, suggesting that without the constraints of civilization, humans are inherently prone to violence and chaos.
Definition: An allegory is a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.
Golding's philosophical influences, particularly Thomas Hobbes, are evident in the novel's themes. Hobbes' belief that humans are inherently selfish and require strong governance to avoid savage behavior is reflected in the boys' struggles on the island.
Quote: "Maybe there is a beast... maybe it's only us." - Simon, suggesting the internal nature of evil in humans.
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Discover the Allegorical Meaning of Lord of the Flies and Its Symbols
Caitlin West
@caitlinwestx
William Golding's "Lord of the Flies" is a powerful allegorical novelthat explores the dark side of human nature. Published in 1954, this dystopian tale follows a group of British schoolboys stranded on an uninhabited island, revealing how quickly civilization... Show more
Symbols and Themes in Lord of the Flies
"Lord of the Flies" is rich with symbolism and thematic depth, each element carefully chosen to reinforce the novel's central ideas about human nature and society. The story's progression from order to chaos is mirrored in the deterioration of the boys' appearance and behavior, as well as in the symbolic objects that populate their island world.
Highlight: The title "Lord of the Flies" is a literal translation of Beelzebub, a name often used to refer to the devil, underscoring the novel's exploration of evil.
Key themes developed in the novel include:
- The inherent evil in human nature
- The necessity of civilization and social order to control humanity's darker impulses
- The capacity for both good and evil within individuals
- The corruption of innocence
These themes are explored through various symbols and motifs:
Vocabulary: Symbols are objects, characters, figures, or colors used to represent abstract ideas or concepts. Motifs are recurring elements that have symbolic significance in a story.
- The conch shell: Represents order, democracy, and civilized discussion. Its destruction symbolizes the complete breakdown of civilization on the island.
- Piggy's glasses: Symbolize intelligence, reason, and the power of science. Their theft and destruction represent the triumph of savagery over rationality.
- The beast: An imaginary monster that embodies the boys' fears and the evil within themselves.
- The signal fire: Represents the boys' connection to civilization and their hope for rescue. Its neglect signifies their descent into savagery.
- The Lord of the Flies : A physical manifestation of the beast and a symbol of the evil that lurks within all humans.
Example: The pristine island, initially described as a paradise, becomes corrupted by the boys' presence, mirroring the fall from innocence in the biblical Garden of Eden.
Golding also employs several motifs throughout the novel, including biblical parallels and the corruption of pristine places. These recurring elements reinforce the allegorical nature of the story and its universal themes.
Quote: "Ralph wept for the end of innocence, the darkness of man's heart, and the fall through the air of the true, wise friend called Piggy." - This quote encapsulates the novel's themes of lost innocence and the revelation of humanity's capacity for evil.
The novel's treatment of its most vulnerable characters, particularly Piggy and Simon, serves as a critique of society's tendency to marginalize or victimize those who are different or weak. This aspect of the story adds depth to its allegorical meaning, suggesting that a society's moral worth can be judged by how it treats its most vulnerable members.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Lord of the Flies: An Allegorical Masterpiece
William Golding's "Lord of the Flies" stands as a seminal work in 20th-century literature, offering a chilling exploration of human nature through its allegorical narrative. Published in 1954, this novel draws heavily on Golding's experiences during World War II and his subsequent disillusionment with humanity's capacity for evil.
Highlight: William Golding was a British novelist who fought in the Royal Navy during World War II and participated in the D-Day invasion of Normandy in 1944.
The novel's setting is crucial to understanding its themes. Set in the 1950s during a fictional atomic war, it reflects the anxieties of the post-World War II era. The story begins with a plane crash on an uninhabited island, leaving a group of British schoolboys as the sole survivors. This premise allows Golding to strip away the veneer of civilization and examine how these young boys attempt to govern themselves in isolation.
Example: The evacuation of children during World War II, particularly the tragic sinking of a British ship carrying evacuees in 1940, likely influenced Golding's choice of protagonists.
The allegorical meaning of Lord of the Flies becomes apparent as the boys' attempts at creating a civilized society gradually descend into savagery. This decline serves as a microcosm for broader human society, suggesting that without the constraints of civilization, humans are inherently prone to violence and chaos.
Definition: An allegory is a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.
Golding's philosophical influences, particularly Thomas Hobbes, are evident in the novel's themes. Hobbes' belief that humans are inherently selfish and require strong governance to avoid savage behavior is reflected in the boys' struggles on the island.
Quote: "Maybe there is a beast... maybe it's only us." - Simon, suggesting the internal nature of evil in humans.
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.9/5
App Store
4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user