Discuss How Golding Uses Symbols to Explore His View of Human Nature.

Discuss how Golding uses symbols to explore his view of human nature.

Golding uses several symbols in Lord of the Flies to express the differnt aspects of human nature that we as humans do not always notice. Throughout the book Golding uses these symbols to show us how civilisation breaks down without authority; how brains aren’t always better than brawn and how matter what your age conditioning has affected your lives. Although not always apparent the conch, the fire, Piggys glasses, the knife, Madisons phones number and the war paint are all prominant symbols in the book and play a very important role in expressing what Golding thinks of human nature.

Without authority, civilisation breaks down. The beacon fire on top of the mountain represents a barometer of civilisation. When the fire is burning, the children are still civilised and want to be rescued. However when it goes out, civilisation is lost and rescue is not deemed inportant. Throughout the book we see the beacon fire lit and put out this shows us the fluxing of conditioning. Whn the idea of a fire is first mentioned “half the boys were on their feet” and “laughing with triumphant pleasure” they all seem intent on rescue. Later on in the book though the fire is forgotten about and left “dead” with the prospect of something new and exciting to do such as hunting. Here we see civilisation start to sway, most of the boys would rather “kill a pig” and become hunters than take responsibility and look after the fire.

Another symbol of civilisation is the conch, not only does it represent the importance of civilisation it also shows us how fragile and precious civilisation is. In the very beginning of the book when the conch is first discovered it and whoever holds it is respected. When the election for a chief is helf and Ralph is chosen it isn’t just his “his size and attractive appearance” that people elect him for it was the fact that “there was the conch” and he was the one who had blown it....