William Golding’s Lord of the Flies is a classic novel that explores the dark side of human nature. The story revolves around a group of British boys stranded on a deserted island and their attempt to survive without adult supervision. As the novel progresses, the boys’ civilized behavior deteriorates, and they become increasingly savage and violent. The novel’s central theme is the idea that evil is inherent in all humans, and it only takes the right circumstances for it to surface. But what represents evil in Lord of the Flies?
One of the most prominent symbols of evil in the book is the pig’s head on a stake called the Lord of the Flies, which is a translation for Beelzebub. Beelzebub is another name for the Devil. This symbol represents the inner evil taking over all the boys and is a powerful reminder that even the most innocent and civilized individuals are capable of unspeakable acts under certain circumstances. In this article, we will explain what the pig’s head on a stake represents and how it contributes to the novel’s overall message about the nature of evil.
What represents evil in Lord of the Flies? (Complete Answer)
In the Lord of the Flies, the representation of evil is a central theme. The novel tells the story of a group of British boys stranded on a deserted island and their descent into savagery. As the boys try to survive without adult supervision, their behavior becomes increasingly violent, and they lose touch with their civilized selves. The question of what represents evil in the novel is crucial to understanding the story’s overall message.
The pig’s head on a stake, which the boys call Lord of the Flies, represents evil. The pig’s head is a gruesome reminder of the boys’ violent behavior and their loss of innocence. The name “Lord of the Flies” is a translation of the Hebrew word “Beelzebub,” which means “lord of the flies.” In Christian tradition, Beelzebub is a demonic figure associated with the Devil.
The author also uses the pig’s head as a physical representation of the boys’ inner evil. It is a manifestation of the darkness within them, which takes over as they lose their connection to society’s rules and moral codes. The head’s decay and the swarm of flies surrounding it symbolizes the boys’ descent into barbarism and their separation from the civilized world.
The pig’s head on a stake is also significant because of the way the boys interact with it. At first, the boys are repulsed by the head, but as time goes on, they become more and more drawn to it. The head begins to speak to Simon and tells him that evil resides within every human being. The boys’ fascination with the head shows how easy it is for evil to take hold of them and how quickly they can become disconnected from their morality.
How does the beast represent evil in Lord of the Flies?
The beast represents evil in Lord of the Flies in several ways. First of all, the boys’ fear of the beast symbolizes their fear of the unknown, as well as their fear of the darkness that lies within human hearts. Additionally, the beast appears to be a physical manifestation of the boys’ own inner darkness and cruelty. Simon, the most perceptive of the boys, realizes that the beast is actually a figment of their imaginations and that the real evil lies within themselves. Finally, the savage rituals and sacrifices the boys perform to appease the beast demonstrate the destructive power of fear and the dangers of group mentality. In all these ways, the beast is a powerful symbol of the evil that lurks within all humans, no matter how civilized they may appear to be.
What does Piggy’s death symbolize?
Piggy’s death symbolizes the destruction of reason and intellect on the island. It marks the closing of the possibility for a peaceful and rational resolution to the conflict between Ralph and Jack, and the rise of savagery and anarchy as dominant in the boys’ society. Piggy, with his rationality and his glasses, represented the power of scientific inquiry, critical thinking, and intellectualism in the novel. Therefore, his death signifies a tragic loss and the erasure of the values of rationality and community in favor of savagery and chaos.
What does Simon’s death symbolize?
Simon’s death in Lord of the Flies symbolizes the death of goodness and benevolence among the boys on the island. Simon was a Christ-like figure and represented the inherent goodness in humanity. Therefore, his murder by the boys signifies the presence of evil and the loss of innocence. Simon’s brutal killing is a turning point in the novel, marking the boys’ descent into a state of savagery and depravity. His death symbolizes the dark forces within humanity and the failure to resist them in the face of temptation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the pig’s head on a stake represents evil in Lord of the Flies. It is a physical manifestation of the boys’ inner demons and a reminder of the darkness within all humans. The head’s decay and the swarm of flies around it also symbolize the boys’ descent into barbarism and their separation from the civilized world. As such, it is a crucial element of the novel’s message about the nature of evil and the fragility of civilization.