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The book, Lord of the Flies, by William Golding, is a book full of symbolism. The biggest symbol is the entire island itself. This island and everything connected with this island is a symbol of the world in which we live today. The characters are symbolic of certain groups of people in our society, their actions are comparable to the actions of people in society, and the destructive, physical changes are similar to the changes of this earth. Each character on the island is equivalent to different groups of people on earth. Ralph and Jack represent the leaders of this world.
Ralph leads because he wants everyone to work together, representing presidents, kings, all good leaders whereas Jack leads to gain power, thus representing emperors, tyrants and a dictatorship. Ralph looked at [Jack], eager to offer something. (Page 24) This shows how Ralph wants to be fair and generous, and he is willing to let other people be leaders as well. [Jacks] going to beat Wilfred. What for? I dont know. He didnt say.
He got angry and made us tie Wilfred up. (Page 176) Jack beat up a kid, Wilfred, without a valid reason, because he had done something Jack did not like. Other comparisons are Simon, who represents heroes and philanthropists because he wanted to always help others, and Piggy, who represents the scientists and advisers for his ideas and the advice, which he gives to Ralph. Roger represents the criminals and sadists because he abuses and wants to kill others and does not feel any remorse for what he does. These groups of people are evident in life and in most stories. Most people in life can be compared to one of these characters on the island world. Not only are the characters in the island world similar to people in society, the actions of the boys on the island are similar to actions of people in society.
Some things that Jack does are abusing others to gain power and promising his followers materiel things for respect. Some leaders use these tactics as well. They kill and threaten whomever they consider as competition and those who they do not like to gain power and promise materiel things and bribes, such as jobs with high positions, to gain respect and followers. I gave you food, said Jack, and my hunters will protect you from the beast. Who will join my tribe?
Wholl join my tribe and have fun? (Page 166) Here we see Jack bribing his followers with the possibility of food and fun. He is leading them away from the more important issues that Ralph is focussed on, such as being rescued. Simons actions are similar to those of Christ. He is always willing to help others and he does not have any evilness within him. All day [Ralph has] been working with Simon. No one else. (Page 55) Here it shows that even though all the others have left Ralph to go play instead of doing their jobs, Simon still stayed behind to help out.
The island world is also like our earth in that the physical changes, which occurred to the island world, resemble the changes to our earth. When the boys first arrive on the island it is beautiful, peaceful, and undisturbed. Similarly, when Adam and Eve entered the garden of Eden everything was perfect. There is fruit to eat and water to drink in both worlds.
But slowly destructive changes start to happen. On the island, there is a fire which burns down part of the forest and which is an accident. Likewise, man has been polluting this earth and releasing toxins into the atmosphere unknowingly. Ultimately the entire island is destroyed by another fire, this time on purpose. [Ralph] heard a curious trickling sound and then a louder crepitation as if someone were unwrapping great sheets of cellophane. Smoke was seeping through the branches in white and yellow wisps, the patch of blue sky over head turned to the colour of a storm cloud, and then the smoke billowed round him. (Page 215) In the end the entire island is left burning up. Boys who did not think of the consequences started this wreckage on purpose.
The fools! The fools! The fire must be almost at the fruit trees-what would they eat tomorrow? [Thought Ralph] (Page 218 - 9) Likewise many people today allow known pollutants to be released into the earths atmosphere such as cigarette smoke and car exhaust. The island was left at the worst state possible. Similarly, our earths condition is at a serious state. This island worlds physical changes, reflect our earths changes, caused by man for the worst.
While reading this book and without even reading this essay it is evident that this book has a meaning or an underlying message and symbol. Golding proves to be a very skilled writer through this work. Here, young boys represent groups of people, their actions are similar to those on the island world, and the physical changes, which happened to the island, are similar to those of our present world. Maybe Golding was trying to foreshadow or even warn us about the future of our earth? Who knows? Maybe he knew something that we do not.
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Research essay sample on People In Society Groups Of People
