Lord of the Flies analysis Essay

Submitted By e_carmichael

Words: 486

Pages: 2

Open Document

Honors English II
24 May 2013
The Power within Us All No matter the situation—whether it be a scuttle between two kids on the playground, warring countries, or even an angry man turning into a big green monster (widely known as the Hulk)—there will always be that struggle for power; that menacing beast within us just waiting to bound out of your soul with a vengeance. In William Golding’s novel, Lord of the Flies, there is the constant struggle between what should be done and what wants to be done; in other words the constant struggle between the super-ego, ego, and the id.
Moreover, even in civilized societies, the general public must still overcome the id feelings with ego and super-ego; without it, the society would inevitably end. In the novel, the kids try to overcome the id by having organized and moral rules but in the end, they almost die because they simply chose to let their ‘beast’ come out and play. The boys eventually join the tribe full of killing, feasting and dancing. Golding is trying to make a point, saying the general public is attracted to this violence; that it feeds off of those feelings. It is vividly described whilst Jack himself is hunting. Jack states that he senses this impulsive reaction to kill, and talks of the magnificent and powerful state of mind he gets from making a killing.
Not only that, but Golding symbolizes the boys struggle between id and super-ego through the Lord of the Flies and the combination of the conch and Simon. The conch—and under that Piggy—is representing the order necessary to run any society; while Simon represents the only naturally good person with a sense of morality which is not imposed by society. His motivation throughout the entire group to help the tribe for the

Lord Of The Flies Analysis

The change of environment of Ralph becoming the chief forced him to lose some of his childhood naivety. Ralph has to think of others, rather than himself, and for the good of the people in order for them to survive. When first coming onto the island, the boys were in completely new surroundings and they did not have a clue where they were. After gathering all of the boys together, Ralph chooses a couple of them to go explore the island and then he suggests that “[they] ought to draw a map”, so they…

Words 923 - Pages 4

Lord Of The Flies Analysis

Ghislane Marin 2B From the moment the boys landed on the island, a “scar” was left from the crash. The signs of destruction were being seen. The boys would destroy the island if it was in their way of getting something done, and with the boys destroying the island; they were leaving marks of their fight to get through. The water that the boys bathe in is “warmer than blood”. As the boys look up at the sky, they see the lightning is a “blue-white scar” and the thunder “the blow…

Words 479 - Pages 2

Lord Of The Flies Syntax Analysis

William Golding, author of Lord of the flies uses syntax and imagery to set a tone of balance after Simon’s death. Firstly, the author uses syntax to communicate his tone. In the sentence, “The darkness, save for the useless oblong of stars, was blanket-thick,” (Golding, pg. 183) the author mentions the darkness but interrupts his thought by mentioning the stars. William Golding has implied throughout the novel that the stars suggest hope. Therefore, it is safe to assume that the author wants us…

Words 374 - Pages 2

Lord Of The Flies Equality Analysis

each other, but when looked at closely, are extremely hard to achieve together. A society being peaceful and having completely equal rights amongst people is one that is hard to come by and William Golding’s classic allegorical masterpiece, Lord of the Flies, addresses one of the societies which fails to achieve this. In the midst of World War II, a group of young English boys is left in solitude on an island, because of a plane crash. After some thought, Ralph, a boy who eventually becomes the leader…

Words 1470 - Pages 6

Lord Of The Flies Literary Analysis Essay

Literary Analysis of Lord Of The Flies On an island covered with young school boys, is it possible to control and maintain any assembly of order? William Golding’s, Lord of the Flies is a political and moral fable about a group of schoolboys stranded, alone, on a tropical island. They are trying to maintain order, while awaiting their rescue. In this novel, Ralph, the leader of the boys, is elected chief of the island. He chooses to appoint Jack as the lead hunter. Though, they assign titles…

Words 1843 - Pages 8

Conch Lord Of The Flies Analysis

“It is a man’s own mind, not his enemy or foes, that lead him to evil ways” (Buddha). In William Golding’s Lord of the Flies, the English boys who get stranded on an island experience symbolism through many of the items they use. Through the use of the symbols such as the conch, the beast, and Piggy’s lenses. Golding shows that humans, when separated from civilization and rules, allow their inner goodness turn into evil. The first symbol appearing in the novel and used throughout is the Conch…

Words 538 - Pages 3

Simon Lord Of The Flies Analysis

Golding uses imagery and symbolism to develop the idea that Simon is a representation of Jesus and to show the injustice of Simon’s death. After the brutal murder of Simon, his body lay on the shore near the ocean. As the night goes on, nature becomes silent and “the clear water [mirrors] the clear sky and the angular bright constellations” (153). The peaceful, zen like environment shows the purity that has surrounded Simon. The sky casts a clear blanket over the beach along with the stars shining…

Words 444 - Pages 2

Fear In Lord Of The Flies Analysis

Would you have ever guessed, that your fear would cause you to act inhuman and barbaric? In the novel, Lord of the Flies, by William Golding, that is exactly what is happening. A plane full of boys crashes on an unknown island. The boys who are afraid of being stuck here, wonder what to do. They fear of many things because there are no adults, and this also causes there to be a lack of authority. However, the boys vote and make a boy named Ralph their leader; he represents order and civilization…

Words 1386 - Pages 6

Lord Of The Flies Identity Analysis

The novel Lord of the Flies by William Golding is an epic tale of boys that get stuck on a mysterious island due to a crazy plane crash. William wrote this novel to show the public his beliefs about what would really happen in a situation like this. Golding conveys the idea that without civilization, a man's identity will disintegrate through the painting of faces and the change of personality traits. The boys paint their faces as a sign of their identity dissapearing; Golding conveys this through…

Words 499 - Pages 2

Lord Of The Flies Power Analysis

Which is stronger, the love of power or the power of love? By definition; power is the capability to direct, influence or control the behaviours, environments and the events of others. William Golding’s novel Lord of the Flies explores the conflicts between two main power systems; in which the civilized democracy could not overpower the savage-like dictatorship. This can be proven through the characterization of Jack, the symbolism of the beast, and the celebration of murdering a pig through the…

Words 738 - Pages 3