The Lord Of The Flies Quote Analysis

1301 Words6 Pages

Malek Sayegh
Ms. Loewald
Block C
24 March 2023
LOTF Symbol Essay; Jack embodies unchecked power.
Throughout his novel The Lord of The Flies, William Golding uses symbolism to convey the meaningful messages to the readers. Golding uses symbolism to express his thoughts on human’s evilness and how the boys descend into savagery. In William Golding's novel the character Jack represents the violent, primal instincts of human nature. He embodies the desire for power and control, and his gradual descent into savagery will result in the breakdown of civilization due to loss of morality. Jack undergoes transformation from being a choir leader to becoming a ruthless hunter and leader of a tribe of boys who engage in acts of violence. This transformation …show more content…

By this point in the novel, Jack has formed his own tribe and has become increasingly savage and violent. He has been in conflict with Ralph, who has been trying to maintain order and lead the group towards rescue. Jack and his tribe have been hunting Ralph and they have finally cornered them near the beach. Jack, in a fit of rage and desperation, “made a rush and stabbed at Ralph's chest” (254). In this passage, Jack, in a fit of rage and desperation, charges at Ralph with a spear and attempts to stab him in the chest. The use of the words "made a rush" emphasizes Jack's impulsiveness and lack of control, while the act of stabbing at Ralph's chest highlights the brutal nature of the attack. This passage is significant because it represents the ultimate breakdown of civilization on the island. Jack's tribe has completely abandoned any appearance of civilized behavior and has devolved into a state of violence and savagery. Hunting and attempting to kill other human beings reveals how easily humans can descend into brutality when placed in a situation where their survival is at stake. Furthermore, the attempted murder of Ralph is symbolic of the destruction of the group's social order. Ralph had been the leader of the group, and his attack by Jack represents the overthrow of the established order by violence. Overall, this passage highlights the dangers of unchecked human aggression and the importance of maintaining order and morality in society. The breakdown of civilization on the island serves as a warning about the fragility of human nature and the potential for violence and chaos to emerge in any group of