Introduction
Literary devices allow readers to interpret a piece of writing on multiple levels leading to an immersive and engaging experience. These devices can be seen in a wide range of literary works, including novels, poems, plays, and short stories, and their use helps to make these works enduring and meaningful to readers across generations. Whether it is the use of allegory in Lord of the Flies or the symbolism in The Great Gatsby, incorporating literary devices into literature elevates a better understanding of the world.
In particular, William Golding’s novel Lord of the Flies incorporates literary devices to delve into themes of power, human nature, civilization, and the inherent capacity for evil (Golding). The use of literary devices enhances the storytelling and explores the consequences of unchecked power on human nature.
Literary Devices
Characterization
Golding employs characterization to create a diverse cast of individuals who personify various aspects of human nature, allowing him to explore the themes of power, violence, and the conflict between civilization and savagery. The author uses direct characterization to describe the character’s physical appearance, actions, and motivations. For instance, Ralph is introduced as fair-haired and athletic. At the same time, Jack is described as “tall and slimly built” (Golding 7, 20), giving readers a visual representation of the characters and hinting at their personalities. Indirect characterization is used, as evidenced when Ralph is chosen as the leader, and he prioritizes building shelters and creating a signal fire to increase the group’s chances of rescue, while Jack focuses on hunting and having fun. The contrast reveals their different values and predicts the conflict that arises between them later in the story.
Additionally, Golding employs symbolic characterization, using the conch shell as a representation of order and democracy, and its ownership as a sign of power and authority. Ralph is the first to blow the conch and establish a democratic government, but Jack later takes control of it to assert his own dominance (Golding 16). As the situation on the island worsens, Ralph’s leadership skills are tested, and he becomes increasingly desperate and overwhelmed (Bregman 2). In contrast, Jack’s love of hunting and desire for power transform him from a typical boy into a violent and aggressive leader. Through these characterizations, Golding exposes the flaws and contradictions of the human condition, highlighting the potential for both good and evil in every person.
Plot
The initial plot of the novel centers around survival, as the boys work together to establish order and develop a rescue plan. Ralph is chosen as the leader, and he and his followers begin building shelters and maintaining a signal fire to alert passing ships. However, the boys’ focus on survival is threatened by the appearance of a wild boar, which triggers their primal instincts and unleashes their violent tendencies (Golding 48). The plot gradually becomes more intense as the boys attempt to maintain a civilized society, continually undermined by fear. The conflict between Ralph and Jack over leadership and the boys’ loyalty to one or the other becomes a central plot point (Giri 56).
The conflict is heightened by the fear of a mysterious “beast” on the island, which the boys believe poses a threat to their safety and causes them to turn on each other (Golding 77). The climax of the plot occurs when the boys mistakenly kill Simon, mistaking him for the “beast” (Golding Chapter 9). Therefore, the violent act signals the complete breakdown of their civilized society and marks the beginning of their descent into chaos and destruction.
Setting
The location of the uninhabited tropical island in Lord of the Flies is significant in shaping the story’s themes and events. The island is described as being lush and fertile, with a variety of flora and fauna that the boys initially find both beautiful and fascinating (Golding 26). The beach is long and white, and the ocean is crystal clear, providing the boys with a source of food and a means of escape if they are ever rescued (Golding 8). However, as the story progresses, the island becomes increasingly ominous and threatening (Zhu 286). The boys begin to realize that they are entirely alone and that they may never be rescued, leading to a sense of hopelessness and despair. They discover the darker aspects of the island, such as the thick jungle that covers much of the interior and the dangerous creatures that live there, such as the wild boar.
The island’s physical characteristics mirror the psychological and emotional state of the boys. When the society begins to break down, the boys become more savage and violent, and the island becomes more threatening and dangerous. The jungle becomes dark, and the ocean treacherous and unpredictable (Godling 128). Thus, the island’s beauty and potential for survival become secondary to the boys’ struggle for power (Zhu 286). The isolation of the island and the absence of any external authority allow Golding to explore these themes in a concentrated and potent way, highlighting the fragility of society and the ease with which it can be destroyed.
Symbolism
Symbolism is used in Lord of the Flies as a literary device to represent various ideas and concepts. The conch shell, for example, is a symbol of order and democracy, used by the boys to call assemblies and establish a sense of civilization on the island (Golding 16). The beast, on the other hand, represents the boys’ primal nature and their fear of the unknown, and as they become more savage, the beast becomes a representation of their savagery (Golding 35). Piggy’s glasses symbolize science and reason, used to start the fire, representing the boys’ hope of being rescued. However, as the boys become more savage, they see Piggy’s glasses as a tool to be taken and used for their own purposes (Golding 40). Finally, the Lord of the Flies, represented by the pig’s head on a stick, symbolizes evil, the devil, and the boys’ descent into savagery and their loss of civilization (Giri 56). Overall, the use of symbolism in Lord of the Flies reinforces the themes of the novel and provides a deeper understanding of the characters and their actions.
Allegory
The use of allegory in Lord of the Flies helps to illustrate the fundamental aspects of human nature and the dangers of allowing our primal urges to take over. Jameson described allegory as a literary device in which characters, events, and settings represent abstract ideas or moral concepts (231). The boys are stranded on an uninhabited island, and as they struggle to survive, they begin to form their own society. However, as time goes on, their society descends into chaos and violence as they succumb to their primal urges. Thus, the island and characters in the novel can be seen as allegorical figures. Ralph, for example, represents reason and leadership, while Jack can be viewed as having the desire for power and the urge to dominate. Piggy personifies science and rationality, while Simon exemplifies spirituality and the search for deeper meaning. Each character embodies a specific aspect of human nature, and their interactions with each other illustrate how these different aspects can either work together or come into conflict.
Other Literary Devices
William Golding employs several literary devices to convey its complex themes and ideas. Using an unreliable narrator in Lord of the Flies adds an element of uncertainty to the story, forcing the reader to question the reliability of the events and characters presented. In turn, this creates tension and adds to the overall sense of chaos and instability that characterizes the boys’ situation on the island. The use of imagery is additionally prevalent in the novel, with vivid descriptions of the island, its flora and fauna, and the boys’ actions providing a sensory experience for the reader (Golding Chapter 1). Irony is present, such as the boys’ attempt to establish a civilized society on the island while simultaneously becoming increasingly savage. Golding employs literary devices to evoke emotions, create a unique narrative voice, and provide a nuanced reading experience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, literary devices are an essential aspect of literature that helps create meaning and deepen the reader’s understanding. William Golding’s Lord of the Flies is a masterpiece of literature that utilizes various literary devices to create a powerful allegory of human nature. Using symbolism, the novel explores the themes of civilization, savagery, and the loss of innocence while providing a deeper understanding of the characters and their motivations. The novel’s use of allegory allows the reader to see beyond the surface level of the story and understand the more profound meaning and significance of the events that unfold. Ultimately, Lord of the Flies is a powerful testament to the importance of literature in illuminating the human condition and exploring the fundamental aspects of our nature.
Works Cited
Bregman, Rutger. “The Real Lord of the Flies: What Happened when Six Boys were Shipwrecked for 15 Months.” Sat 9 (2020): 1-6. Web.
Giri, Pradeep Kumar. “William Golding’s Lord of the Flies: A Study of Evil in Man.” The Batuk 5.1 (2019): 52-58. Web.
Golding, William. Lord of the Flies. Penguin Classics, 2006.
Jameson, Fredric. Allegory and Ideology. Verso Books, 2020.
Zhu, L. (2020). A Reflection on the Relationship Between Individuals and Institution in the Novel of “Lord of the Flies”. In 4th International Conference on Art Studies: Science, Experience, Education (ICASSEE 2020) (pp. 285-290). Atlantis Press. Web.