Who is the true beast in Lord of the Flies? In the Lord of the Flies, William Golding examines the dark side of humanity through a group of boys who, marooned on a deserted island, give in to their primal instincts. Throughout the story, the boys are plagued by a fear of a beast that they believe lurks on the island. Simon, one of the boys, is martyred for attempting to bring them the truth about the beast. Simon’s murder at the hands of the other boys symbolizes that the true beast is, in fact, the evil inside humans. This central theme of the novel has sparked much discussion and debate among literary scholars and readers alike. This article will explore who or what the true beast represents in the Lord of the Flies. We will examine the various interpretations over the years and analyze the evidence in the text to shed light on this thought-provoking topic.
Who is the true beast in Lord of the Flies? (Complete Answer)
The Lord of the Flies is a classic novel that explores the depths of human nature and the consequences of abandoning civilization. The story follows a group of young boys stranded on an uninhabited island, struggling to survive and establish a society. As they battle hunger, fear, and uncertainty, the boys become increasingly consumed by the idea of a beast that they believe lurks on the island. As the story unfolds, however, it becomes clear that the true beast is not a physical creature, but rather the evil within man.
A central figure in the story, Simon, becomes a martyr when he tries to tell the other boys the truth about the Beast. Simon is portrayed as a sensitive and perceptive character who sees beyond the surface of things. He is the only one who recognizes that the beast is not a real creature but a projection of the boys’ fears and anxieties. Simon tries to explain this to the other boys, but they are too consumed by their own emotions and primitive instincts to listen to him.
Simon’s murder at the hands of the other boys is a powerful symbol of the true beast in the novel. The boys, who were once innocent and civilized, have become savage and cruel. They have given in to their most base and primitive desires and, in doing so, have unleashed the true beast that lies within them. Simon’s death is a tragic reminder of the darkness that can lurk inside us if we allow it to take over.
Another character in the novel, Jack, represents the gradual descent into savagery that the boys experience. Jack leads a group of boys who break away from the main group and form their own tribe. Under Jack’s leadership, the boys become increasingly violent and barbaric, hunting and killing animals for pleasure and eventually turning on each other. Jack’s transformation from a civilized schoolboy to a ruthless hunter vividly portrays the corrupting influence of power and the dangerous allure of violence.
Is the beast in Lord of the Flies a snake?
No, the beast in Lord of the Flies is not a physical serpent or snake. It is a symbol of the boys’ fear and their descent into savagery. One of the younger boys sees the beast in his dream as a snake because it represents temptation and evil, much like the serpent in the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. So, the “snake” is a representation of the beast, not the beast itself.
Is Simon the beast in Lord of the Flies?
No, Simon is not the beast in Lord of the Flies. The idea of a beast on the island is initially believed to be a physical entity that the boys can hunt and kill. However, it later becomes clear that the real beast is the savage impulses and dark nature residing within each human being. Simon represents goodness and the idea that the beast is inside each individual. His encounter with the Lord of the Flies symbolizes the struggle between good and evil. It represents the realization that evil exists within all of them.
When is the beast first mentioned in Lord of the Flies?
The beast is first mentioned in Chapter 2 of Lord of the Flies during a group meeting to establish a leader when one of the younger boys expresses concern about it. This exchange happens when the boy asks what the others will do about the “snake-thing” which he now believes is a “beastie”.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the true beast in Lord of the Flies is the evil that lies within all humans. The novel is a cautionary tale about the perils of abandoning civilized society and indulging our most primitive instincts. It shows how quickly we can lose our humanity when faced with extreme circumstances and how important it is to maintain our sense of morality and compassion in the face of adversity. As Simon’s character shows us, it is only by confronting the truth about ourselves that we can hope to overcome the true beast within us.