Symbolism is used in literature to provide detail and imagery to any plot orcharacter. Authors use symbols to enhance the experience of the novel. William Goldinguses many symbols in Lord of the Flies thus enhancing its meaning and overall impacton the reader. Through the use of symbols, Golding allows readers to understand theideas and themes he is trying to convey.One symbol in the novel is Piggy's eyeglasses. His glasses represent his intellectand ability to think clearly. When it mentions in the novel that Piggy's glasses are foggyor they are being cleaned, it symbolizes that Piggy's emotions are getting in the way ofhis reasoning. "Piggy's glasses were misted again- this time with ...view middle of the document...
"...theconch exploded into a thousand white fragments and ceased to exist." (181) The conchwas the boys' final tie to civilization; once that was lost there was no turning back.The face paint used by Jack's tribe is a third symbol Golding uses to representan important theme in Lord of the Flies. When they first landed on the island, the boyswere strongly connected with their past civilization and society. Their actions anddecisions were based on what they were raised to do. Once Jack put on the face paint,it was as if he became a different person. "...the mask was a thing on its own, behindwhich Jack hid, liberated from shame and self-consciousness." (64) He was moreconfident and was not going to let his conscience interfere with his decisions. Jackbecame free of all of his ties from the past. "They understood only too well the liberationinto savagery that the concealing paint brought." (172) The face paint demonstrates theboys' transformation from civilized people into savages.Symbols play an important role in the development of the plot in Lord...
