Allegory In William Golding's The Lord Of The Flies

“...‘maybe there is a beast’...‘maybe it’s only us’” (Golding 89). This quote from Simon in, The Lord of the Flies, by William Golding effectively shows the deeper meaning of the book. This allegory takes place after a plane crash carrying British schoolboys living in a dystopian world. The plot follows the boys, the most prominent being Ralph, Jack, and Piggy, as they try to survive on the island and to be rescued from it. Golding tries to explain the theme that it is human nature to discard all senses of peaceful civilization for savage beastiality. Using suggestive symbolism, creative characters, and complex conflict, William Golding manages to develop the theme throughout the novel. Primarily, by applying remarkable symbolism, the theme

Additionally, Golding employs startling conflict to contribute to the ongoing problems created by the theme. In the beginning, there is an evident external problem faced by the boys. This conflict is surviving on an inhabited island while also looking to get rescued. The boys try to solve this problem by establishing a society complete with a leader, hunters, meetings, shelters, and a steady fire. Ralph takes the position of leader and holds many meetings to discuss more strategies. Towards the climax of the story, there seems to be a confusion of priorities between Jack and Ralph. Ralph’s center of attention is on keeping the fire burning and being rescued as he recites, “‘The best thing we can do is get ourselves rescued’” (Golding 53). Jack, however, is focused on hunting as he responds, “‘Rescue? Yes, of course! All the same, I 'd like to catch a pig first-’” (Golding 53). However, this conflict is merely portraying the deeper, internal conflict, which is that the boys are reverting into animalistic ways, just like human nature. “‘I’m frightened. Of us. I want to go home. Oh God, I want to go home.’”(Golding 157). Golding’s pursuit in expanding both internal and external conflicts of the story certify the main theme of human nature spectacularly throughout the novel. Consequently, the author explains the theme of the allegory, Lord of the Flies, with the aid of powerful symbolism, undefinable diction, and illustrative conflict. Golding’s theme that overlooks civil obedience for animalistic characteristic also manifests itself to be true with this statement. Especially since the island was peaceful before the plane crash, one can conclude that humans are the ultimate destruction of any situation they appear in. Therefore, that could only mean that the beast inside of us is the greatest beast