Symbolism envelops the novel "Lord of the Flies". Everything in the novel has some alternate meaning, and symbolizes something bigger. The main symbolism themes are the Beast, Ralph, Jack, Piggy, the Conch, the Signal Fire, Piggy's Specs, and most of all, the Lord of the Flies.
The boys believe that the Beast is an evil monster, but really the Beast is the evil that resides within man. The children were all aware that such a beast exists, but none of them realized that it lies within them, except Simon.
Ralph represents law, order, organized society and moral integrity. Throughout the novel he is constantly making rules for the boys to follow. As chief, he knows right from wrong. At the end of the novel he too realizes that man is not a kind creature by nature.
Jack represents anarchy. Jack did not have the integrity to keep the Beast at bay.
Lord of the Flies
English: Cottages, The Green, Marlborough William ...
He made a great sound, and the Lord of the Flies a...He is the perpetrator of all three deaths that occur on the island and wishes to spend his time hunting instead of helping Ralph with rescue.
Piggy represents knowledge and morality. Without Piggy to help Ralph it is possible that Ralph may have lost sight of things, and given into the Beast. Jack, who systematically removes the forces opposing him throughout the novel, is afraid of Piggy and eventually kills him to eliminate his moral influence on the group.
The Conch is a symbol of the high hand of authority. Used to call meetings, it is magical to the boys, who for the most part respect it. In the end, when it is destroyed, authority on the island is gone and Ralph is left to fend for himself.
The Signal Fire is a representation of commonsense and rescue from immorality. When the signal fire can no longer be...