Symbolism Paragraph
There are many different types of symbols in William Golding’s Lord if the Flies.
These symbols give the novel more depths and detail, and also give hidden meanings to
how human nature really is at its rawest state. One symbol that is shown in Lord of the
Flies are Piggy’s glasses. The glasses are often mentioned when Piggy takes them off to
clean them (9). They literally are glasses to help Piggy see, but figuratively they
symbolize foresight and the ability to see things clearly. When Jack takes Piggy’s glasses
and throws them, consequently breaking one side of them, Piggy cannot see as clearly
with them, therefore his judgment becomes slightly impaired (7). This symbolizes how
everything is beginning to fall apart and become nonsensical. Then, when Jack steals
Piggy’s glasses to create fire for his new tribe, Piggy cannot see at all anymore (165).
Shortly after this is when the whole island goes crazy symbolizing the loss of foresight
and clarity.
In contrast, a second symbol, the hunters’ mud mask, does the exact opposite as
Piggy’s glasses. These mud masks are first used as an actual hunting tool to help
camouflage the boys from the pigs when they go hunting, which is really quite innocent
(63). But, as the book progresses, they become malevolent and being ‘painted’ becomes
something more than just ready to hunt. This is shown after Jack splits with his own little
tribe, Ralph, Piggy, Sam, and Eric talk in fear of the other boys being ‘painted’ (172).
The masks go from being something to help, to being something that creates fear, power,
confidence, and intimidation, and becomes a symbol of savagery and a secondary
persona. They are painting themselves and in doing so, covering up their true selves and
being replaced with this new person. Therefore they completely leave their civilized
selves behind and become these crazy beasts of themselves.