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Essay / Lord of the Flies Symbolism Essay - 1914
One of the most important themes that runs through the entire story of William Golding's Lord of the Flies is the power of different symbols. Golding frequently uses symbolism, which is the use of symbols, especially investing things with symbolic meaning. The main point of each symbol is its use and effect on each of the characters. They help shape who the characters are and what they will be. The symbols weave their way throughout the story and are more powerful than they seem at first glance. Two boys from similar upbringings can both be radically different when placed in difficult situations and given things that allow them to wield power among others. Spitz says: “But his desire to have many controls does not, of course, extend to controls. These glasses are very symbolic. They represent not just Piggy, but all the boys and how they have to survive on the island even though they don't realize its importance yet. When Piggy first arrived on the island, his glasses were spotless and perfect, with no damage, just like the boys. Everyone arrived on the island like someone else and left completely changed. They represent intelligence and intellectual pursuit. Piggy is probably the brightest of the boys stranded on the island in Lord of the Flies, and his glasses set him apart from the rest. He is symbolized by an adult figure with common sense. He is the most rational boy in the group; making his glasses also a symbol of logical reasoning within society. But he was completely disrespected, as Jacks says in the novel: "'You talk too big.' " (Golding 18) The glasses not only represent Piggy and what he represents, but for everyone like in real life we have symbols that signify power, and Washington DC is a good example of this. Wiebenson explains details the power of symbols on Pennsylvania Avenue: “These few examples show much more than the power of symbols that encourage citizens to respect their government. They also demonstrate the growing strength of local interests and the desire to make the city the symbol. because the inhabitants are also people The battles recorded here show that national symbols still have great power. (Wiebenson 20) He believes that the power of symbols lies not only in respect for his government, but also in the way each symbol demonstrates the growing strength of the people who live there Although there is no. major buildings in the novel, the conch, Piggy's glasses, and fire show how symbols exert different amounts and types of power. When each is destroyed, the power that can be drawn from them weakens. symbols is crucial in this novel, which is why William Golding helps show us that an object is much more powerful than it might initially be.