As we read through the book, there are some images that pop up in our minds that symbolize key events in the novel. In this post, I will be sharing about how certain items, in my opinion, relate to the novel.
Artwork by Jonathan Wateridge
To me, an airplane is one of the symbols of the novel. The boys crash land on the island while evacuating via an air plane. It symbolizes man's instinct to destroy. The plane was built by man and it left a "long scar" on the island. It is also used to introduce the characters in the novel.
The conch is also a significant symbol in the novel. The conch symbolizes authority. In the novel, whoever that holds the conch has the right to speak. It is similar to the Emperor's seal in China. However in Chapter 11, the conch is shattered along with Piggy's skull. While the conch is shattered, that has not stopped people from speaking. Thus making us question the difference between apparent authority and true authority.
actual image is too gruesome and gory
In chapter 8, Jack and his hunters sharpen a stick at both ends to offer a pig head to the beast for protection. As the pig head starts to rot, it is swarmed by flies. Upon seeing this, Simon dubs the pig head as Lord of The Flies. The rotting pig head symbolizes the boy's rotting morality. Just like how the pig head is left alone in open air and left to rot, the boys are left on the island without any adults to watch over them and become more and more uncivilized. With every immoral thing that the boys do for power, the flies eat away a part of their morality. When the pig head is gone, what is left of their morality?
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