Lord Of The Flies Report
Savagery, it is a force seen by some as a spawn of demons. Civilization, it is a
place where people can live freely under more civilized conditions, and has sometimes
been referred to as the force of angels. Civilization and savagery are both symbols to two
all powerful truths, which are used in the novel Lord of The Flies by William Golding.
Symbols foreshadow events, provide insight into situations, and can symbolize something
completely different from what it is.
Symbols of savagery and connections to the devil can be found in various
locations in the novel. “Jack’s bloodlust and thirst for power have overwhelmed his
interest in civilization” (Barnes 4). Bloodlust and thirst for power are two qualities that
symbolize savagery, and explain further how it is taking control of the kids. Another
symbol of savagery is Jack’s mask, and how it covers his face when he is hunting.
The
mask can symbolize Jacks’ inner evil and, when he puts it on, symbolizes its control over
him as it covers up his normal self. Even though there is this inner evil, they are all still
boys and act like them when not under savagery’s tempting spell. “I’m not going to play
any longer.” (Golding 127). This shows Jack’s childish ways and his ties to a more
civilized life. There are still civilized and good beings within the boys; there is just the
matter of uncovering them.
Civilization and connections to holy powers is present through symbols expressed
in the Novel. “Simon has a deep human insight in the glade, for he realizes that it is not a
real, physical beast that inspires the hunters’ behavior but rather the barbaric instinct that
lies deep within each of them.” (Barnes 8). This insight shows calmness and rational
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thought within Simon, showing that he himself is a symbol of the good inside the boys.
Savagery leads to bloodlust and actions that are meant to feed that craving, thus these
actions are, in a civilized world, irrational. But when someone is able to think clearly
enough so that it becomes clear that the person does not crave the actions of savagery
and, in a civilized world, is acting rationally. There are also symbols that trace straight to
civilization itself, such as the conch shell. The conch shell represents order and
democracy, the makings of a civilized world. This is because the boys use the conch for
meetings; whoever has the conch has the right to speak during the meeting, and when the
conch is blow it gives out a message to everyone that tells them to assemble. “He had to
wave the conch before he could make the boys hear them” (Golding 37). When Ralph
held up the conch, it sent a signal to the others to get quiet. This ability to make others
stop and listen symbolizes the presence of order with the conch shell. But when the
forces of savagery and civilized life meet, the results can be catastrophic.
In the final few chapters of the novel Lord of the Flies, several symbols of
the story clash against each other, and in some cases even change roles. “The hunters use
piggy’s glasses to make one more fire, and smoke out their prey” (Discovery Education
9). Piggy’s glasses were earlier used to make the signal fire which, in turn, was supposed
to summon them help and get them back to civilization. Two symbols here, previously
representing the side of good, have been turned for evil purposes. The glasses
represented ties to a civilized life because of how they helped Piggy see. The fire was
meant for good purposes because it was meant to save the boys. But this new fire,
created by the same glasses, was created as an act of savagery. But in the end, it is their
act of savagery that ends up saving them. “…it is not an ordered, controlled signal fire
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but rather the haphazard forest fire Jack’s hunters set solely for the purpose of killing
Ralph. … Ultimately, the boys’ appalling savagery brings about the rescue…” (Barnes
12). When the big fire was set out, it was seen by a passing cruiser and the boys were
saved by a naval officer standing on the beach. This officer, in the boy’s eyes, is the
absolute symbol of civilized life and the true essence of good. But in reality, even this
symbol of civilization is caught in its own twisted web of savagery, for he is in the
middle of fighting in WWII.
With savagery and civilization being seemingly polar opposites they can be
connected with each other in many ways - ways that include the use of symbols.
Symbols foreshadow events, provide insight into situations, and can symbolize something
completely different from what it is. Whether it’s the connection of the power of good
with Simon, or the presence of evil with Jack, there is always something in-between to tie
things together. These things that tie such opposites together, such as good and evil, are
known to us as symbols.
Chris Cosby
B-2
A Clan EAFH Production