Piggy's Glasses Symbolism

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“The purpose of society is to curtail evil” (“Are Some Humans Born Evil?”). In Lord of the Flies, William Golding illustrates what happens when young boys are stranded on an island away from civilization. Being faced with an unfamiliar environment, the boys find ways to cope in a ruleless society and act in either a civilized or savage manner. In their new surroundings, Golding works with varying symbols to exemplify the decline of civilization. Throughout the novel, Piggy’s glasses symbolize the boys’ connection to society and change to represent their gradual descent from civilization to reveal that humans will fall when there is no order.

The symbol of Piggy’s glasses reflect the boys’ ties to cultivation. Early in the novel, the boys …show more content…
Further into the story, after much conflict, the boys separate into two groups with Ralph or Jack as their respective leaders. Being the superior group, Jack’s party raids Ralph’s camp and steals many of the former’s necessities. After hysterically protecting the item, Piggy realizes that “‘They didn’t come for the conch. They came for something else.’ … Along the bowstave of beach, three figures trotted toward the Castle Rock… The chief led them, trotting steadily… He was chief now in truth; and he made stabbing motions with his spear. From his left hand dangled Piggy’s broken glasses” (Golding 166). Jack now holds the specs- the boys’ only hope to be rescued. The “glasses” are now completely “broken”, as is their makeshift society. Ralph is the only one who wants to escape the island. With the specs out of his possession, there is no one to take it upon themselves to create a signal fire. Furthermore, while the story develops, Piggy’s glasses are increasingly damaged as the mock civilization crumbles. The boys have split off into opposing communities, tragic incidents -including death- have taken place, fear is overtaking the boy’s emotions, and power is being passed around the island. Once the glasses are ultimately broken, their civilized society has conclusively shattered. The specs mirror the boys’ connection to society, and chaos is causing it to break
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