Fire In Lord Of The Flies Symbolism Essay

In William Golding’s novel Lord of the Flies, the plot is advanced not just by character development and imagery but also by symbolism. This story speaks of both lost youth and innocence and the descent into barbarism. During many of the book’s pivotal moments these themes are best expressed by two symbols. The conch as a symbol of order and democracy and the fire representing hope, the longing to be rescued and a reconnection to the outside world. Using both of these symbols throughout the book, Golding creates an important commentary on how society truly does teeter between civility and savagery.

In the beginning of the novel, before personalities clashed and order didn’t turn to chaos, Ralph found a conch shell on the beach while exploring

Ralph believes this is their only hope to be saved and he emphasizes to the boys the importance of sustaining the fire. Ralph suggests other boys join his group to help maintain the smoke signals which would be seen from above and out to sea. Ralph says, “The fire is the most important thing on the island. Without the fire we can’t be rescued. I’d like to put on war-paint and be a savage. But we must keep the fire burning.” (Golding 142). He also understands it would be much easier to do the wrong things like hunting and being irresponsible but instead makes a conscious decision to remain focused on being rescued. At pivotal moments in the book when the fire has been neglected or extinguished, the savages don’t seem to care, focusing instead on hunting and finding the beast. This further removes them from

The turn toward savagery is now complete. This symbol of civility shattering into nothingness demonstrates there’s no order left. “...exploded into a thousand white fragments and ceased to exist.” (Golding 181). Continuing their wrath, Jack and his savages set fire to the forest trying to make Ralph run into hiding and the entire island is torched. Ralph, running for his life, “saw a shelter burst into flames and the fire flapped at his right shoulder and there was a glitter of water.” (Golding 200). He cries out for mercy believing his time has come. At long last the smoke signal Ralph desperately tried to keep alive for the entire book - has come back to literally keep him alive. A naval officer sees the smoke and the boys are rescued - and some aren’t happy about