Symbols

In Lord of the Flies, William Golding uses various symbols to represent deeper themes in the novel. Each symbol is linked to important ideas about human nature, society, and morality.

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Key Symbols and Their Meanings

The Pig's Head (Lord of the Flies)

• Symbolises: Evil and fear
• Represents Beelzebub (Satan), meaning "Lord of the Flies."
• In Chapter 8, it becomes a powerful symbol of the boys' fears and their descent into savagery.

The Conch Shell

• Symbolises: Order, authority, democracy
• A shell that can be blown to produce a sound, similar to a vuvuzela.
• Represents law and civilisation—whoever holds it has the right to speak in meetings.
• As the boys become more savage, the conch loses its power, showing the collapse of civilisation.

Fire

• Symbolises: Civilisation and destruction
• Fire is a link to the outside world, used as a signal for rescue.
• However, it also becomes a weapon of destruction when the boys lose control over it, leading to the burning of the island.

The Island

• Symbolises: Innocence and paradise
• At the start, the island appears peaceful and unspoiled, like the Garden of Eden.
• As the boys turn savage, the island is destroyed, showing how human nature corrupts purity.

The Beast

• Symbolises: Fear and the evil within humans
• Initially, the younger boys fear a "snake-thing" (Chapter 2), like the snake in the Garden of Eden.
• Later, the dead airman (Chapters 6 and 9) becomes the new beast, representing how fear and imagination create monsters.
• The beast is not real—it is the darkness inside the boys.

Piggy's Glasses

• Symbolises: Intelligence and wisdom
• Used to make fire, showing the power of knowledge.
• Piggy, the most rational and intelligent character, relies on them.
• When the glasses are broken, it symbolises the loss of logic and reason.

The Pig Hunts

• Symbolise: Savagery and bloodlust
• The boys start by hunting for survival but soon enjoy the killing.
• Hunting becomes violent and cruel, showing their complete loss of civilisation.

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Summary Table: Symbols and Themes

Symbol	Linked Themes
The Pig's Head	Evil, fear
The Conch	Order, authority, democracy
Piggy's Glasses	Wisdom
Fire	Civilisation, destruction, savagery
The Island	Innocence, good
The Pig Hunts	Savagery

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Exam Tip!

• In essay questions, discuss how these symbols change throughout the novel.
• Explain how Golding uses them to show human nature and society.
• Support your answers with examples from key chapters.