What Does The Fire Symbolize In Lord Of The Flies

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Symbolism is a powerful component in literature as it allows the reader to absorb the parallels of the interpretation and create their own connections. In Lord of the Flies, by William Golding, there are multiple distinct representations of symbolism that are not only meant to represent ideologies on the island but simultaneously making references to the outside world. The conch allows the user to speak in turn and communicate their feelings clearly to the rest of the group. As leader, Ralph uses the conch as a tool to provide a democratic-like council for the boys when deciding on important things and expressing their concerns; the conch is a symbol for leadership, communication, and order. The fire was used as a signal to alert passersby that …show more content…

The fire has developed into yet another symbol of dispute between Ralph and Jack because their viewpoints never seem to align. Also, the way Ralph and Jack individually use the fire is a key part of what it symbolizes. Ralph can be seen using the fire as a way to get them to safety sooner and as a tool to help everyone. On the other hand, Jack can be seen using the fire as a tool for destruction, which leads to the fire being used as one of the major parts of the island’s demise. The fluctuations in how the fire is being used is a large factor in what the fire represents throughout the story. For the majority of the time the fire was used as a helpful tool, the boys were more civilized and well thought out nevertheless, as the story progresses we can see that as the boys lost their humanity the concept of how to use the fire shifted into using it as a weapon. The island in Lord of the Flies is a symbol of the earth. When the boys arrive on the island they can see how it is a green, luscious, untouched island and is perfect besides the scar left behind by their