Symbolism “A symbol is a person, place, or object that represents something beyond itself. Symbols can succinctly communicate complicated, emotionally rich ideas.” (The Language of Literature, 1236) “A symbol is a person, place, or object that represents something beyond itself. Symbols can succinctly communicate complicated, emotionally rich ideas.” (The Language of Literature, 1236) The characters themselves serve more as symbols than individuals The characters themselves serve more as symbols than individuals

Piggy & his Glasses Piggy & his Glasses –Signify man’s ability to perceive, to think –Clear-sightedness, intelligence. –Their condition represents the status of social order. –This quality separates man from the animal world. –Brain power can be misused for destructive purposes. –In the end, they are used to smoke Ralph out. Symbolism

Symbolism Ralph & The Conch Ralph & The Conch –Democracy –Order The conch shell– power The conch shell– power –Law & Order –Represents Ralph’s parliamentary type of government. –As anarchy grows, the conch fades in color and its power diminishes –The frailty of the civilization is suggested by the fragile shell

Symbolism Simon Simon –Pure Goodness –Christ-like Figure –Purity

Symbolism Roger Roger –Evil –Satan-like figure

Symbolism Jack Jack –Savagery –Anarchy Face Paint/ Masks Face Paint/ Masks –Masks / Can change into another person –Is the other person free from moral obligations? Superheroes & villians Superheroes & villians –Do the characters start to change after they paint their faces?

Symbolism The Island The Island –A microcosm (small world) representing the world –Micro=Small –Cosmos=World –The boys plane crash landed on the island after they were escaping the war. –The ended up creating their own war on the island

Symbolism The Scar The Scar –The plane crashed into the jungle and ended up in the lagoon leaving behind a scar –Once the boys landed on the island they made their mark (or scar) –Represents: Man's destruction, destructive forces

Symbolism The Beast The Beast –Represents the evil residing within everyone –Represents the dark side of human nature.

Symbolism Lord of the Flies Lord of the Flies –Represents the “rotting” of the social order –Represents a great danger or evil –Translation from Greek: “Beelzebub” prince of demons. –Shown as the head of the pig, covered with Flies. –The LOTF “talks” to Simon

Lord of the Flies “The theme is the central idea or message in a work of literature. …theme is a perception about life or human nature shared with the reader.” (The Language of Literature, 1236) “The theme is the central idea or message in a work of literature. …theme is a perception about life or human nature shared with the reader.” (The Language of Literature, 1236)

Themes Apparent in Lord of the Flies Humanity’s problem stems from a lack of awareness of “the beast within.” People remain trapped inside themselves, too self absorbed to look at the world. Humanity’s problem stems from a lack of awareness of “the beast within.” People remain trapped inside themselves, too self absorbed to look at the world.

Themes Continued One cannot change basic human nature, but can recognize and understand it. One cannot change basic human nature, but can recognize and understand it. Individuals choose to suppress the savagery beneath their humanity. Individuals choose to suppress the savagery beneath their humanity. “The beast” is an individual’s lack of integrity or lack of ethical/moral fiber. “The beast” is an individual’s lack of integrity or lack of ethical/moral fiber.

Theme: Words of Golding “The theme is an attempt to trace the defects of society back to the defects of human nature.” “The theme is an attempt to trace the defects of society back to the defects of human nature.”

Basic Conflict Shows what can and what does occur when individuals fail to see themselves as part of the whole. Shows what can and what does occur when individuals fail to see themselves as part of the whole.