Introduction
In William Golding’s novel Lord of the Flies, three main characters embody various symbols and aspects of human nature. These symbols are crucial elements for understanding the novel’s themes and plot. It is important to note that the changing symbols throughout the novel are crucial to interpreting the work.
As symbols shift, the decay of civilization and a return to savagery become apparent, emphasizing the novel’s theme of the decline of human nature and the rejection of societal norms. This essay will discuss the symbolic significance of the characters – Piggy, Jack, and Roger – and how they change from signs of civilization to savagery. The significance of the novel lies in its portrayal of how, under extreme circumstances, even the purest individuals can become cruel brutes.
Piggy: Intellect and Civilization
The first symbol to consider in the novel is the representation of intellect – Piggy. The character symbolizes the intellectual and scientific components of civilization. He is the smartest of all the boys and constantly refers to his intelligence and knowledge. He was the most mature and wise character, as evident in his words: “What are we? Humans? Or animals? Or savages? What’s grownups going to think?” (Golding 91).
He is also the only character who wears glasses, which becomes a crucial element in the plot’s development. As events in the story unfold, his symbolic value changes. At the novel’s end, his glasses are broken, symbolizing the destruction of the last strong connection with civilization and despair. The difference in Piggy’s symbol reflects the novel’s central theme – the decay of civilization and a return to savagery.
Jack: Wild Power
Another vital symbol is Jack, who represents unbridled savagery and the desire for power. Jack gradually loses touch with reality and falls into savagery, which is reflected in the change of his symbolic value. At the novel’s beginning, Jack is the leader of the choir and a symbol of civilization. “We’ve got to have rules and obey them. After all, we’re not savages,” said words by Jack prove his leadership intentions in the beginning (Golding 42). However, he becomes cruel, striving for power and control over the other boys.
The significance of his character reveals how striving for power can hurt a person: he uses fear to control other boys. His symbolic value becomes more associated with cruelty and violence, reflecting the horrific theme of the novel – the degradation of human nature.
Roger: Cruelty and Ruthlessness
The third symbol, Roger, embodies extreme cruelty and bloodlust. At the novel’s beginning, Roger demonstrates his cruelty in small acts, such as throwing stones at the other boys. However, as the story unfolds, his cruelty becomes increasingly extreme. With the words “You couldn’t stop me coming if I wanted,” he threatens others to show his cruelty and power (Golding 178).
The significance of his character lies in the fact that, in the face of danger, a person’s true identity is revealed and strengthened. In this case, Rogers showed his true identity as a sadistic maniac. His symbolic meaning comes to represent brutality and ruthlessness, underscoring the novel’s core theme—the breakdown of civilization and the reemergence of savagery.
Conclusion
In conclusion, in Lord of the Flies, three symbols – Piggy, Jack, and Roger – are essential in conveying the novel’s theme and demonstrating how human nature can decay and return to savagery. The changes in the symbolic significance of these characters help the author convey the work’s more profound meaning and emphasize its central theme: transformation from humanism to brutality. Thus, the symbols in Lord of the Flies enable the author to convey a rich, multilayered message about the collapse of civilization and humanity’s drift back into savagery. Each symbol represents a particular aspect of human nature that changes throughout the novel and reflects its central theme. Changes in symbols are essential for interpreting the story, as they help us understand how human nature can change in conditions of savagery and what it means for society as a whole.
Work Cited
Golding, William. Lord of the Flies. Penguin Books, 1999.