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Literary Lens In William Golding's 'Lord Of The Flies'

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Kaiden Sheridan Mrs. Browne English March 15, 2023 Literary Lens Essay Both literal and metaphorical fires divide several boys who land on an island during a nuclear war. These boys fight over power and resources without the bindings of society. William Golding believes that civilization has no room for goodness and is pessimistic about mankind’s ability to live successfully. Not only the breakage of faith in the chief, but also the idolization of the Devil, and the extermination of children, support Golding’s pessimistic view. Golding, with a negative outlook on society, uses the boys’ disloyalty to their leader to convey the idea that humanity is evil. Roger sharpening a stick at “both ends” implies that Roger and …show more content…

The lord of the flies commanding Simon to “get back” to the children who later murder him, the Christlike figure, demonstrates the Devil’s strong control over all people(143). Being comparable to the Devil, the lord of the flies is very deceiving and convinces Simon to march to his death, like Jesus did to his crucifixion. Corruption is among the boys as even the Christlike figure falls to temptation and is murdered amidst the violence of the island. The boys fearfully leaving the pig head for “the beast” as they try to appease a creature of the Devil’s works, reveals just how much power people give to monsters(137). Because the boys are trying to appease the beast, they are worshiping an evil entity like humans are naturally drawn to. This beast represents humanity’s sins that one feeds into to please oneself instead of other people and Simon symbolizes Jesus whose main purpose was to help others. Consequently, Golding’s pessimistic view ensues through the pagan worship of a boar head that embodies the Devil as the boys disconnect from virtue and actually fall to crime as not just the murder of Simon takes

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