symbols LOTF Flashcards
what does the conch shell represent
civilisation and order as it is used to summon the boys together and democracy as governs the boys meetings (whoever holds it speaks) where it is an actual vessel of political legitimacy and democratic power.
when does the conch start to lose power and influence
as the island erodes and the boys descend into savagery.
how is the demise of civilisation shown through the conch
Ralph clutches it when talking about his role in murdering Simon and when he attempts to blow the conch in jacks camp the boys throw stones at him. When Roger killed piggy premeditated the conch is crushed showing the demise of the civilised instinct (without piggy democracy dies)
what do piggy’s glasses represent
the power of science and intellectual endeavour in society shown from the beginning when they are used to create a rescue fire(what makes humans more advanced than animals)
when do the glasses meaning change
hunters steal the glasses, taking the power of fire, leaving Ralphs group helpless and use them for savagery starting a fire purely to cook meat (prehistoric use). This leaves piggy vunerable (in civilisation intelligence is most important but on the island its the survival of the fittest)
what does the signal fire represent
it is a barometer of the boys connection to civilisation.
when does the fire represent civilisation
as the boys maintain the fire it shows they want to return but even from the start they aren’t in control as the fire burns down the forest killing birthmark boy.
when does fire represent savagery
when the fire burns low or goes out it shows they’ve accepted their savage lives. they have lost the desire to be rescued. Ironically it summons a ship when the fire is at the pinnacle of savagery- being used for murder.
what does the beast represent
the primal instinct of savagery that exists within all humans.
what do the boys use the beast for
They externalise the beast as an excuse for the bad things happening (scapegoat) but they aren’t convinced which is why the beast constantly changes. Only Simon realises the beast is within each of them.
when does the belief in the beast become more real
as the boys grow more savage. By the end the boys leave it sacrifices treating it as a totemic god. the boys behaviour is what brings the beast into existence
what themes does the lord of the flies represent
the severed bloody sows head is a complicated symbol. it is a physical manifestation of the beast, symbol of the power of evil and a satanical figure that evokes the beast within every human for it works to promote evil among mankind.
what does the lord of the flies foreshadow
It is left as an offering to the beast. It speaks to Simon in the glade telling him that evil lies within every human heart and promising to have some fun with him (foreshadowing simons death).
what do the biblical parallels of the lord of the flies show
The lord of the flies represents Beelzebub powerful demon in hell thought to be satan himself (literal translation of LOTF) as Simon represents Jesus. It shows Jesus coming face to face with the devil and Simon is killed for knowing too much that the boys don’t want to accept.
what does the subtle motif of biblical parallels add to the story
adds thematic resonance (literary techniques that support the theme in a meaningful way) to the main ideas of the story.
