"Lord of the Flies" by William Golding: Character analysis.

Essay by Daytripper013Junior High, 9th gradeA+, December 2005

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Beelzebub

Beelzebub, the demon of chaos, also known as Lord of the Flies, is indirectly referred as the demon of chaos. So chaos, violence, anarchy, and destruction are accordingly related to each of the characters in a specific way. In the novel "Lord of the Flies", William Golding uses specific characters to show their savage and chaotic side. It is a novel illustrating the various imperfections of human nature; William Golding employs symbolism to show that man is essentially evil. Golding uses the island to illustrate the decline of decency and morality among the boys. Ralph, Jack, Piggy, and Simon are the most important characters of the novel that relate to the Lord of the Flies in a certain way. Golding develops the idea that without the rigid rules of society, man's ability for destruction empowers savagery, and the demon of chaos in all of us.

Ralph is the protagonist in "Lord of the Flies".

He is elected as the chief of the group, " 'Who wants me?' Every hand outside the choir except Piggy's was raised immediately." (23) Ralph symbolizes democracy and order on the island. As the chief, Ralph takes it upon himself to establish rules for the group to follow and he stresses the importance of each boy doing his duty. Piggy embodies reason and intelligence. He represents the rationality and logic that is necessary in a civilized society. Ralph has hold of the conch shell, a sense of authority and leadership. The conch shell symbolizes order and democracy and the one who is holding it has the right to speak, "We'll have to have hands up, like at school... then I'll give them the conch"(33). It helps maintain order; therefore, it is a tool that fights the lord of chaos. When the conch is destroyed, it...