In our lives, the society has always been controlled by adults, and the children have been considered fragile, immature, and unable to take care of themselves. William Golding’s novel entitled Lord of the Flies is a fictional depiction of the events that unfold after a group of schoolboys are stranded on a deserted island; however, it would be erroneous to assume that the novel presents the reader with a purely fictional portrayal as an analysis of this literary work exposes the underlying allegorical context of the author’s intended message. Golding’s novel utilizes symbolic elements to illustrate the dynamics of human nature in the broader context of geo-political realities.
The symbolism that resonates throughout Lord of the Flies is particularly evident when observing the author’s exclusive utilization of male characters in his portrayal. In essence, this aspect of Golding’s novel supersedes mere happenstance as the exclusion of female characters is ultimately the product of numerous subjective and societal factors. In the first instance, it is logical to assume that the gender and personal background of the author inevitably influenced his work. Golding, for all intents and purposes, could closely relate to the intricacies of the emotional dynamics that affected the psychological processes of young males. Additionally, the prevalence of patriarchal social norms, which existed at the time of the novel's creation, indisputably facilitated the author's association of masculinity with the representation of society in general. Secondly, the author’s description of how Ralph “undid the snake-clasp of his belt” before he “lugged off his shorts and pants, and stood there naked” (Golding 13) and how Johnny’s trousers were “pulled back half-way” (Golding 17) before he proceeded to step out of his pants that had fallen to his ankles, are undoubtedly representations that would be considered ‘unbecoming female behavior’ in the context of a patriarchal paradigm. It would be illogical to assume that Golding would succeed in conveying his underlying message if he had utilized female characters as the intended audience would indisputably have condemned his portrayal of women without endeavoring to grasp the underlying symbolic representations of this literary work.
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In addition to the author’s symbolic representation of society, it is imperative to note the symbolism pertaining to children and adults in the novel. The significance of adults and their symbolic relevance in the novel becomes apparent when analyzing the interaction between Ralph and Piggy in the first chapter. In the initial instance, while discussing the fate of the pilot, Ralph’s excitement is clearly illustrated when he exclaims “No Grownups!” (Golding 8) which is in stark contrast to Piggy’s realization that this situation effectively minimized the probability of them being rescued. The complex nature, of the children’s perceptions of adults, is additionally illustrated by Ralph’s belief that his “daddy” would rescue them “when he gets leave” (Golding 13) despite his portrayed aversion towards adults and authoritative figures. Piggy, however, effectively becomes the representation of a quasi-adult figure through his frequent invocation of the phrase 'my auntie-' (Golding 13) which he associates with the representation of order and protection in his life. Essentially, Ralph’s role as the quasi-adult is further substantiated by the scene in which he admonishes the boys for starting a fire before they completed the construction of their shelters (Golding 38). The author’s inference, of adults representing fearful authoritarian figures, is evident from Simon’s encounter with the pig’s head during his seizure (Golding 143). During this encounter, Simon hallucinates and he perceives that the head is speaking to him “in the voice of a schoolmaster” (Golding 143). Ultimately, Piggy remarks that “We just got to go on, that’s all. That’s what grownups would do” (Golding 139) and these statements signify the young boy's acknowledgment that adults are rational and intellectually superior to children. Golding was trying to describe how little boys who are more likely to have human nature traits pursue civilized society from barbarism in the adequacy of rules as well as knowledge.
To all intents and purposes, the narrative in Lord of the Flies is enhanced by the exclusive depiction of male characters. The primary omission of female characters, concerning the overall storyline, alludes to the author’s assertion that the societal role of women was erroneously dismissed in the broader social context. This aspect is substantiated by the fact that Piggy’s references to his “aunty” denote the only inferences to females in the entire novel (Golding 9). In addition to this element, it is imperative to note that Piggy is constantly interrupted and that these interruptions consequently result in the failure of his statements proceeding beyond the words “my auntie -” (Golding 11). Essentially, Piggy fails to elucidate what his aunty would say and this effectively prevents the expression of opinions pertaining to the only female reference in the novel. Notwithstanding this apparent dismissal of female opinions, the author proceeds to create an intrinsic link between the disregarded guidance of Piggy’s aunty and the portrayal of this character as the ‘voice of reason’ in a failing societal paradigm. However, the boy’s deterioration into a primitive state causes them to reject any logical guidance and this dynamic ultimately culminates in Piggy’s murder (Golding 181). Ultimately, it should be concluded that Golding deliberately excluded female characters from his story to elucidate the negative implications of gender discrimination and this intentional omission effectively propels the intended narrative of social disintegration.
Golding effectively supports his underlying symbolic representations, in Lord of the Flies, by including elements that were relevant to the geo-political climate which existed shortly after the Second World War. Although this period was characterized by the advent of the Cold War, the author included numerous elements that were reflective of the atrocities that occurred during the rise of Nazi Germany. During their second meeting, Piggy remarks that “the plane was shot down in flames” (Golding 34). This statement is indicative of the fact that the novel is set against the backdrop of a wartime situation. In addition to this facet of the storyline, the author introduces a dead fighter pilot that ultimately plays a pivotal role in the overall narrative (Golding 95). However, the most obvious association of this literary portrayal, with the events of World War Two, is the author’s inclusion of the gradual breakdown of civilization which emanates from the human desire to create armies. As in the case of Adolf Hitler, Jack initially proposes the formation of an army for ‘protection’ during the boy’s first meeting, however, this seemingly beneficial proposition becomes the platform for the creation of a dictatorship and the eventual destruction of the boys attempts to create a civilized society (Golding 33).
In summation, William Golding’s novel is an allegorical representation of the inherently evil nature of human beings which presents itself in the absence of rational thought. Essentially, Lord of the Flies supersedes a mere fictional presentation as this novel is effectively an indirect exposition of numerous socio-political issues and the potential dangers which are associated with perceptions of fear.
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