The Lord of the Flies is a novel written by William Golding, and it is widely considered to be a classic in the literature world. The story is set on a remote island, where a group of boys are stranded after their plane crashes. The boys are forced to fend for themselves, and they quickly descend into chaos.
One of the most interesting aspects of Lord of the Flies is the use of Christian symbolism throughout the story. Many experts have interpreted the story as a commentary on the nature of man, and how Christianity can be used to control people.
Some of the most notable examples of Christian symbolism in Lord of the Flies include:
– The name of the book itself, which references Satan’s fall from heaven.
– The Lord of the Flies, who is a representation of the devil.
– The pig’s head, which represents the body of Christ.
– The conch shell, which represents the Christian sacrament of communion.
– The island itself, which is often seen as a metaphor for purgatory.
Overall, Lord of the Flies is an interesting exploration of Christian symbolism and human nature. It is a must read for anyone interested in either topic.
“When you kill the messenger of light, you prevent yourself from seeing reality. It’s like an orchid grower; a human being is essentially savage and terrified by nature, but he refuses deliverance and murders the messenger of light” (Dick, “Criticism” 197). This interpretation of our humanity as human beings is based on Christian theology’s idea of original sin, which has been used in several works of literature as a motif. One example is William Golding’s novel Lord of the Flies. Golding makes his belief in original sin clear throughout the work by utilizing vivid Christian imagery.
One of the most striking examples of Christian symbolism in Lord of the Flies is the title itself. The Lord of the Flies is an allusion to Beelzebub, a name for Satan that originates from Hebrew. In the Bible, Beelzebub is referred to as one of the princes of Hell, and is known as the Lord of the Flies because he is the ruler of all insects that fly (“Beelzebub”). This reference to Satan reinforces Golding’s belief that man is inherently evil.
Another example of Christian symbolism in Lord of the Flies can be found in Simon’s death scene. After being stabbed by Jack, Simon falls down a hill and into a clearing. There, he sees a “great beast” that is “covered in blood” (Golding 158). This beast is a clear allusion to the Lamb of God, which is a symbol in Christianity of Jesus Christ.
In the Bible, the Lamb of God is described as a sacrificial lamb that was slain to take away the sins of the world (“Lamb of God”). Simon’s vision of the beast thus represents his acceptance of death and his understanding that he will be forgiven for his sins.
Finally, Golding uses Christian symbolism to underscore the theme of redemption in Lord of the Flies. One example of this can be seen in Ralph’s speech near the end of the novel. After finally being rescued, Ralph delivers a speech in which he asks the boys to think about what they have done. He tells them that “we have been saved for a purpose, and that purpose is to unite” (Golding 191). This purpose is one of redemption, as Ralph believes that the boys can be saved if they learn to work together.
Golding’s use of Christian symbolism in Lord of the Flies underscores his belief that man is inherently evil and in need of redemption. Through this symbolism, Golding provides readers with a powerful examination of the human condition.
The plot of Lord of the Flies is centered on a group of British boys who are stranded on a tropical island after their plane crashes. Ralph, Jack, and Piggy portray three distinct but equally vital roles in this dark tale (Golding wrote the novel as a Christian allegory). In his work, Golding is trying to convey a harsh lesson about life and the darkness that dwells within each one of us.
The play is often said to “open in Eden” since the boys’ arrival on the island, which was untouched and perfect, is comparable to that of Adam and Eve’s garden of Eden (Swisher 65). The tropical climate encourages the boys to take off their clothes, and fruit dangles from all the trees.
The Lord of the Flies is not only a physical entity, but also a spiritual one. He represents the devil, or evil, and he tempts the boys throughout the novel. The Lord of the Flies first tempts them with food, which Simon recognizes as an act of temptation (Golding 116). The Lord of the Flies also tempts the boys with power, which leads to the destruction of Piggy’s glasses and then to Roger’s savage beating of Henry. Finally, the Lord of the Flies tempts Jack with complete power over the island, which results in Jack’s descent into savagery.
The Lord of the Flies is not the only symbol in Golding’s novel. The conch shell, which Piggy and Ralph first use to summon the boys to meetings, also symbolizes order and civilization. It is a physical representation of the democratic process, with Ralph holding the conch and allowing each boy an opportunity to speak (Golding 63). The glasses that Piggy wears also symbolize civilization, because they allow him to see clearly. Without his glasses, Piggy is lost and helpless just like the other boys on the island.
The final symbol in Lord of the Flies is fire. At first, fire represents hope for the boys, because it means they will not be stranded on the island forever. However, as time goes on, fire becomes more and more dangerous. It burns down the forest, it causes the death of Simon, and it ultimately leads to the boys’ destruction.
Lord of the Flies is a complex and thought-provoking novel that contains many symbols that can be interpreted in multiple ways. Golding’s use of Christian symbolism provides a unique perspective on the darkness that lies within us all.
