What Does The Jack Symbolize In Lord Of The Flies

Death! Savagery! Violence! Lord of the Flies by William Golding shines a light on the grim side of human nature. British school boys are deserted on an island due to a plane crash. The longer they are on the island the more absent they become from reality. All of the boys on the island symbolize something; Piggy and Simon's jack represents rationalism, spiritual human goodness, and violence respectively. In Lord of the Flies, Golding chooses Piggy to represent logic, rationalism, and knowledge. Piggy is more sensible than the others, he can control his emotions and analyze situations maturely. “That little ‘un that had a mark on his face -- where is he now? I tell you I don't see him”(46). Piggy is the only boy to recognize the issue at hand; the missing child, displaying his maturity. “ I know there isn’t no beast -- not with claws and all that, I mean -- but I know there isn't no fear either… unless we get frightened of people”(82). Piggy does not let his imagination run wild, he thinks more

Simon exemplifies a kind of innate, spiritual human goodness that is deeply connected with nature in its own way. Simon upholds morality because he thinks it has an inherent value, not because he feels guilty or ashamed about it. In chapter two golding illustrates “We used [Piggy’s] specs...He helped that way”(43). The others frequently make fun of Piggy for his lack of physical strength, however, Simon points out that without Piggy’s specs, they never would have been able to make the fire, reminding them not all contributions to society are physical. In chapter seven Simon reassures Ralph they will get home safely, “ You’ll get back all right. I think so, anyway”(113). In both of these passages, Simon is being kind to the other boys, standing up for piggy, and reassuring ralph. Throughout the story, Simon is the only boy who does not resort to