Lord of the Flies - Symbols Quiz

Symbols in "Lord of the Flies"

• The Lord of the Flies (The Pigs Head)

  • Represents inherent evil; associated with Beelzebub, the devil.
  • Symbolizes the boys' submission to darkness and their worship of evil.
  • Key moment for Simon highlighting the truth about moral corruption on the island.

• The Conch

  • A symbol of civilization and order; signifies democracy among the boys.
  • Ralph enforces rules based on the conch, ensuring only the holder can speak.
  • Deterioration of its power illustrates the decline of structured society.

• The Signal Fire

  • Represents hope for rescue; crucial for the boys' return to civilization.
  • When the fire goes out, it marks a loss of hope, showcasing priorities shift to savagery.
  • Jack’s neglect of the fire emphasizes the boys’ growing preference for freedom over order.

• Piggy’s Glasses

  • Symbolize science, logic, and rational thought.
  • Glasses are essential for creating fire, making Piggy an asset but not respected.
  • His insights are frequently dismissed, underscoring the degeneration of intelligence among the boys.

• Destruction of the Conch

  • Its shattering marks the complete breakdown of civilization and order.
  • Ralph’s loss of authority parallels the rise of Jack’s tyrannical rule through force.
  • Highlights the transformation into savagery as the boys abandon structured societal norms.

• Piggy's Death

  • Symbolizes the culmination of violence and the boys' descent into barbarity.
  • Comparison between Piggy and the pigs used for hunting reveals their competing instincts.
  • Foreshadows the culmination of savagery with plans to hunt Ralph.

• Roger’s Nature

  • Embodies pure evil; revels in exerting control and torment over others.
  • Represents the potential for cruelty inherent in all humans under corrupt authority.
  • His character illustrates the consequences of unchecked malevolence in society.

• The Imaginary Beast

  • Serves as a projection of the boys' fears; reflects their internal savagery.
  • Jack capitalizes on the idea of the beast to manipulate and instill fear.
  • Simon’s realization that the beast is within illustrates the primal instincts present in all.

• Tribal Worship of the Beast

  • Represents the boys’ surrender to fear and savagery through ritualistic acts.
  • The act of sacrifice signifies deeper levels of barbarism and collective hysteria.
  • Highlights the irony that the true danger lies in the boys’ actions towards each other rather than an external beast.