LOTF symbolism.

Question 1

The Lord of the Flies.

Answer 1

• The title is symbolic.
• The evil is not in the pig’s head but within the boys themselves.
• The pig’s head symbolises the evil in every man’s heart.

Question 2

Corruption.

Answer 2

• The forest scar is seen as a path of destruction through the forest.
• The setting itself is a microcosm of the world, symbolising the corruptness of humanity.

Question 3

Garden of Eden.

Answer 3

• The island is a perfect place before the arrival of the boys. After the boys inhabit and partially destroy the island, it can be seen as the corrupted world of mankind.

Question 4

Civilised values.

Answer 4

• The death of Piggy and the destruction of the conch are symbolic of the failure to establish and retain civilised values in the world.

Question 5

Hope.

Answer 5

• The signal fire is a sign of hope. When it is allowed to go out, hope also dies.

Question 6

Fear and superstition.

Answer 6

• The beast can represent the boys’ fear and superstition. Jack plays on these fears to get his own way.

Question 7

The dead parachutist.

Answer 7

• The dead parachutist symbolises the beast that the boys are so frightened of.

Question 8

Authority.

Answer 8

• The log that Ralph sits on represents the symbol of authority. When Jack sits on a log as chief, it represents a throne.

Question 9

Original sin.

Answer 9

• Killing the pig can represent original sin.